Cockatoo

Cockatoos make up the family Cacatuidae, a distinct lineage of about 21 species within the parrot order, found only in Australia, New Guinea, the Philippines, Indonesia, and the Solomon Islands. They differ from true parrots in several key ways: cockatoos have a large, mobile crest of feathers on the crown that can be raised or lowered, and their plumage is generally restricted to white, black, grey, and pink tones with patches of yellow, orange, or red, since they lack the structural blue and green feather pigments (psittacofulvins combined with structural color) common in other parrots.

Appearance

Most cockatoos share a stocky build, a strongly hooked bill, and zygodactyl feet (two toes forward, two back) used for climbing and holding food. The prominent crest, used in social displays and to signal alarm or excitement, is the group's most recognizable feature.

Key field marks

• Erectile crest of elongated crown feathers, raised during display or excitement
• Plumage dominated by white, black, or pink, often with a colored crest or cheek patch, rather than the greens and blues typical of many other parrots
• Large, strongly curved bill and a distinctive undulating flight with slow wingbeats

Similar species

Cockatoos are usually easy to separate from other parrots by their crest and muted color palette; individual species are then told apart by crest color and shape, body color (white versus pink versus black), and bare facial skin patterns. See individual species such as the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Galah, Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, and Palm Cockatoo for specific field marks.

Range

Cockatoos are restricted to the Australasian region: Australia, New Guinea and its satellite islands, Indonesia (Wallacea and the Moluccas), the Philippines, and the Solomon Islands.

Habitat

Different species occupy habitats from tropical rainforest and mangroves to eucalypt woodland, arid scrub, and farmland; several Australian species have adapted well to agricultural and urban landscapes.

Behavior

Many cockatoos are highly social, gathering in flocks that can number from a handful to several thousand birds outside the breeding season, and are known for their strong pair bonds, long lifespans, and problem-solving intelligence.

Voice

Most species have loud, far-carrying, often harsh screeching or screaming calls used to maintain contact within flocks and to signal alarm.

Feeding

Cockatoos feed on seeds, nuts, fruit, roots, and tubers, using their powerful bills to crack tough seed coats and their feet to hold food while eating.

Nesting and breeding

All species nest in tree hollows, and because suitable hollows take decades to form in old-growth trees, hollow availability is a major limiting factor for many populations.