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| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
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| COMMON
NAME: |
greater
sulphur-crested cockatoo |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Aves |
| ORDER: |
Psittaciformes |
| FAMILY: |
Cacatuidae |
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
Cacatua
(referring to the bird's call) galerita |
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| DESCRIPTION: |
The
greater sulphur-crested cockatoo is a large white
parrot with a hooked beak, a bright yellow crest
and yellow under the wings and tail. |
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| SIZE: |
Approximately
50 cm (20 in) |
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| WEIGHT: |
Approximately
700-950 g (24.5-33.3 oz.) |
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| DIET: |
Includes
seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, and some insects |
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| INCUBATION: |
Approximately 30 days |
| CLUTCH
SIZE |
2-6
eggs |
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| SEXUAL
MATURITY: |
5-6
years |
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| LIFE
SPAN: |
65
or more years |
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| RANGE: |
Tasmania
through Victoria and New South Wales to the northern
most tip of Queensland and though the northern part
of the Northern Territory into the Kimberly area
of Western Australia. Introduced populations are
established near Perth, in Western Australia, and
in New Zealand. |
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| HABITAT: |
Inhabits
dense forests |
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| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
Unknown |
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| STATUS: |
IUCN |
Not
listed |
| CITES |
Appendix
II |
| USFWS |
Not
listed |
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|
| 1. |
The
greater sulphur-crested cockatoo is the largest
of the sulphur-crested group. |
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| 2. |
These
birds are often regarded as pests because of their
diets (sometimes feeding on crops); licensed culling
is permitted in certain states. |
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| 3. |
Both
parents take part in incubating the eggs. |
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| 4. |
Cockatoos
can mimic the sounds of other animals, including
people. |
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| 5. |
Cockatoos
can hold their food in one foot and break pieces
off of it with the other foot. |
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| 6. |
Cockatoos
live in small loose flocks. |
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| 7. |
They
are very gregarious and quickly learn to mimic.
These birds also have a very shrill cry. |
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Cockatoos
are a food source for many animals larger than
themselves.
Their
feeding habits are very destructive, which annoys
most gardeners.
Cockatoos
aid in seed dispersal through their eating of
fruit.
This
species is very popular in the pet trade and is
considered to be an exceptionally easy bird to
tame. They are generally very affectionate toward
humans and have lively personalities. This species
is often used for show and appears quite comfortable
in exhibition halls among hundreds of other birds
and large crowds. One word of caution: since these
birds live a long time, owners often have to will
them to someone else in case they are unable to
care for them any longer.
The
U.S. Wild Bird Act forbids the commercial import
of any bird listed by CITES which includes most
parrots - endangered or threatened.
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|
| Austin,
G. Birds of the World. New York. Golden Press,
Inc., 1961. |
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| Decoten,
A.E. Handbook of Cockatoos. Neptune City,
NJ. T.F.H. Pub., 1981. |
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| Diefenbach,
K. The World of Cockatoos. Neptune City.
NJ. T.F.H. Publications, 1985. |
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| Forshaw,
J.M. Parrots of the World. Neptune City,
NJ. T.F.H. Publications, 1977. |
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| Gotch,
A.F. Birds - Their Latin Names Explained.
UK. Blandford Books Ltd., 1981. |
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| Simpson,
D.P. Cassell's Latin Dictionary. New York.
Macmillan Publishing Company. 1959. |
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| http://www.avesint.com/ducorpsF.html |
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