General Description

Large parrot. Body white, with underside of the wings and tail tinged yellow. Has a distinctive yellow crest on the head. Bill and legs dark grey to black. Eyes of females red-brown, males dark brown (distinguishable at close range). Bill to tail length up to 50 cm.

Biology

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are extremely noisy, both in flight and while resting, making loud, harsh calls that can be heard from a distance. They feed in groups, eating berries, roots, fruits and seeds, while one group member watches for danger from a neighbouring perch. They also exhibit destructive behaviour by biting off small branches from trees when not feeding; this is thought to help keep their bill trimmed. They sometimes hang upside down from branches with outstretched wings. Two to three eggs are laid on decayed debris within hollows in old growth trees. Both sexes prepare the nest, incubate the eggs and care for the chicks. Birds tend to stay in the same area, with chicks remaining with their parents and family groups remaining together indefinitely.

Distribution

Eastern, northern and south-western mainlaind Australia and Tasmania.

Habitat

Forests, woodlands, grasslands and urban areas.

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