ThreatsĬockatoo’s primary predators are birds of prey such as falcons and eagles which will attack them with their talons. In comparison with other bird species, sexual maturity is relatively delayed in cockatoo species, allowing them to gain the skills required before taking on the task of parenting themselves. Young will spend up to one year with their parents before striking out on their own. 5-11 weeks later, they become fledglings, leaving the nest for the first time. Following an incubation period of about 20-29 days, hatchlings emerge from their eggs. Males will often preen the female and vice versa, as well as complete courtship displays before nesting and at the beginning of the breeding season.įollowing copulation, females will lay about between 1-8 small, white eggs, depending on the species. They will then line this site with sticks and leaves and protect it aggressively, especially during the breeding season.Ĭockatoos form monogamous pairs, mating only with one another for many years and often rearing their young together, although in some species females are the primary caregivers and family planners. They are unable to excavate these sites themselves, relying on insects or rotting sections of trees to do this work for them. Nesting and ReproductionĬockatoos tend to build their nests in tree hollows, often returning to the same spot year after year. This is especially common when they are feeding on the ground, perhaps as a sort of ‘safety-in-numbers’ strategy to avoiding predation. They will often congregate with many other cockatoos in large flocks to feed. Combined, these help them to manipulate seeds and other food. They all have large bills and a muscular tongue. Most cockatoo species prefer to maintain a diet of seeds, fruits, and insects. Many species are relatively nomadic, but species that inhabit forests tend to find a productive area and stay put as food sources are more stable here in comparison to more arid habitats. They can be found in subalpine forests as well as at sea level amongst the mangroves. Within their range, cockatoo species occupy a relatively wide range of habitats. Some species have been introduced outside of their natural range, although they remain far from a cosmopolitan family of birds. The three other species occur in both New Guinea and Australia. Seven others are restricted to the islands of the Philippines, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. Specifically, eleven species occur in the wild only in Australia. The cockatoo’s range is relatively restricted, occurring almost solely throughout Australasia. A red-tailed black cockatoo Range and Habitat Cockatoos are long-lived, up to about 40 years in the wild with some individuals living to 70+ years of age in captivity. The remaining four genera or distinct themselves, and don’t fit well into these main groups. And finally, the largest category of cockatoo are those of the genus Cacatua, which is comprised of 11 white-feathered species. The next largest is the five species in the genus Calyptorhyncus, characterized by their black plumage. The cockatiel, of the genus Nymphicus, comprises its own category, while the remaining general fall into two other primary clades. The family seems to consist of three groups or ‘clades’. This lends itself to a more leisurely flight style than their speedy cousins. Some galah species fly up to 43 mph (70 km/h), while species such as the sulphur-crested cockatoo have smaller, more rounded wings. In many species, it is particularly spectacular. A sulphur-crested cockatooĬockatoos have long, pointed tail feathers and a head crest that they can move. They range in size from about 12-24 in (30-60 cm) in length and weigh between 0.66-2.65 lb (300-1 200 g). This may be in the room of a colorful crest, such as in the case of the Sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), or in their cheeks or tail feathers. They are typically white, grey, or black along with an accompanying colored feature. Most Cockatoo species are a medium-sized bird, with defining plumage and crests. They have a primarily Australasian range but are common in aviaries and as pets around the world as well. Along with two other families (Psittacoidea and Strigopoidea), they are also commonly referred to as ‘parrots’. Some Vulnerable, including one Critically Endangered speciesīirds of prey, snakes, reptiles, small mammalsĬockatoo refers to any one of the 21 bird species of the family Cacatuidae. Cacatua, Probosciger, Callocephalon, Nymphicus, Calyptorhynchus, Eolophus, Lophochroa,
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