Some species have widespread distributions, with the Galah, for example, occurring over most of Australia, whereas other species have tiny distributions, confined to a small part of the continent, such as the Long-billed Black Cockatoo of Western Australia or to a small island group, such as the Tanimbar Corella, which is restricted to the Tanimbar Islands of Indonesia.Ĭockatoos occupy a wide range of habitats, from forests in subalpine zones to mangroves. Three species occur in both New Guinea and Australia. Illegal trade in wild-caught birds contributes to the decline of some cockatoo species in the wild. White cockatoos are more commonly found in captivity than black cockatoos. The cockatiel is the easiest cockatoo species to maintain and is by far the most frequently kept in captivity. Some cockatoo species have been adversely affected by habitat loss, particularly from a shortage of suitable nesting hollows after large mature trees are cleared conversely, some species have adapted well to human changes and are considered agricultural pests.Ĭockatoos are popular birds in aviculture, but their needs are difficult to meet. Cockatoos are monogamous and nest in tree hollows. They often feed in large flocks, particularly when ground-feeding. On average they are larger than other parrots however, the Cockatiel, the smallest cockatoo species, is a small bird.Ĭockatoos prefer to eat seeds, tubers, corms, fruit, flowers and insects. Their plumage is generally less colourful than that of other parrots, being mainly white, grey or black and often with coloured features in the crest, cheeks or tail. The word cockatoo dates from the 17th century and is a derivation from the Malay name for these birds, "kakak tua" (meaning "older sibling") or from the call of the white cockatoo itself.Ĭockatoos are recognisable by the showy crests and curved and strong bills. The family has a mainly Australasian distribution, ranging from the Philippines and the eastern Indonesian islands of Wallacea to New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia. Along with the Psittacoidea ( true parrots) and the Strigopoidea (large New Zealand parrots), they make up the order Psittaciformes (parrots). A cockatoo is a parrot that is any of the 21 species belonging to the bird family Cacatuidae, the only family in the superfamily Cacatuoidea.
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