Alternative name: Umbrella Cockatoo; White-crested Cockatoo
- Cacatua alba
Identification
46cm. Barring escapes, the only cockatoo in range and hence unmistakeable in its native range.
- body white
- eyes black or brown
- beak dark grey
- crest semi-circular, large, white and striking (normally recumbent)
- underside of wings and tail pale lemon
Males have black and females brown eyes. Juveniles are similar to males.
Distribution
Found on Halmahera, Bacan, Ternate, Tidore, Kasiruta and Mandioli in the northern Moluccas, Indonesia. An introduced population exists in Hawaii.
Used to be common but the populations have been much reduced due to habitat loss and trapping. Classified as vulnerable.
Taxonomy
Monotypic.
Has been regarded as conspecific with Salmon-crested Cockatoo.
Habitat
Mangroves, plantations (including coconut), agricultural land and forests.
Behaviour
Feeds on seeds and fruits. May also take some insects.
They make their nests in tree cavities. 2 white eggs are laid and are incubated by both parents for about 28 days. The larger chick becomes dominant over the smaller chick and takes more of the food. The young fledge about 84 days after hatching.
Resident species.
References
- Clements, JF. 2008. The Clements Checklist of Birds of the World. 6th ed., with updates to December 2008. Ithaca: Cornell Univ. Press. ISBN 978-0801445019.
- Del Hoyo, J, A Elliot, and J Sargatal, eds. 1997. Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 4: Sandgrouse to Cuckoos. Barcelona: Lynx Edicions. ISBN 978-8487334221
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) White Cockatoo. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 3 May 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/White_Cockatoo
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1
