sulfur-crested cockatoo
Quick Summary
The sulfur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) is a large, white Australian parrot with a distinctive erectile yellow crest. These birds are known for their intelligence, inventiveness, and affectionate nature, making them popular pets, with some living over 50 years.12
Sulfur-crested cockatoos are highly social, often forming flocks of dozens to a hundred individuals. They roost together at night, typically near water, and a few members of the flock act as sentries to warn of danger with loud calls. While they can be destructive raiders of grain crops, they are also sometimes kept as pets.21
Cockatoos, in general, are found in Australia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. They possess large, powerful beaks for cracking nuts and digging, and a strong tongue aids in feeding. Most cockatoos are white, often with red or yellow markings.2
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