White Cockatoo
The White cockatoo (Cacatua alba) is a member of the parrot family and grows to around 45cm tall. They are also known as the Umbrella cockatoo due to their large white crest on their head. They raise their crest and use this for breeding and territorial displays. It is possible to tell the difference between male and female birds, as females have a reddy brown eye colour, whereas the males have very dark brown eyes. This cockatoo species is classified as endangered due to them being heavily poached from the wild for the pet trade!
IUCN Listing: Least Concern
Not at a risk of becoming extinct in the wild
Fact File
Native Range
Indonesia. Introduced species in Taiwan
Natural Habitat
Tropical rainforest
Diet
Berries, seeds, nuts, fruits and roots. Occasional insects.
Life Expectancy
30-40 years.
Breeding
2 eggs per clutch
28 days incubation.
Group Name
Flock
(or pandemonium of parrots)
Active Hours
Diurnal
(during the day)
Threats
Illegal trapping for the pet trade. Habitat loss.
Fun Fact
These cockatoo like all parrots have zygodactyl feet, which means two toes face forward and two toes face backwards. This helps them to climb and grip branches.