Cockatoo

Sulphur crested cockatoo - Scientific name: Cacatua galerita
 

The Sulphur Crested Cockatoo is a white bird with a striking sulphur yellow crest.  This crest is normally "sleeked" back but can be raised which shows the bird is either afraid, curious or putting on a display. It normally has yellow markings under its wing and tail and its voice has been described as an "extremely loud raucous screech".  The Sulphur Crested Cockatoo's overall length ranges from 40 to 55 cm and its weight from 700 to 950 grams

The Sulphur Crested Cockatoo is strongly gregarious (meaning it likes to form large groups etc) forming flocks often numbering in the hundreds. They are more active in the morning, preferring to roost in leafy trees during the hotter part of the day. A flock can be extremely noisy.

They are seed and grain eating birds, living off various seeds, nuts, grain, berries, fruit flowers etc as well as small insects and their larvae.  Most of this food is obtained from the ground, and because of their love for seeds the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo is often considered a pest by farmers.

They nest in high eucalypt (Gum tree) cavity or hollow.  Both parents are involved with nest building and bringing up the family. A typical nest will have up to 3 eggs and take 30 days to hatch (both parents share incubation) and the young take approx 70 days to fledge.

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