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Citron-crested Cockatoo

Family: CacatuidaeCacatua sulphurea citrinocristataPhoto © Animal-World: Courtesy David Brough

   The Citron-crested Cockatoo really stands out with the orange feathering in its crest and cheeks! It is the most striking of the six subspecies of the Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoos!

   Sometimes referred to as the "apartment-sized cockatoo", the Citron-crested Cockatoo is a smaller cockatoo (though it is a bit larger than other Lesser Sulpher-crested Cockatoos). It is a pretty bird with graceful movements and a delicate appearance.

   This is Initially a rather shy bird, but once it is used to being around people the Citron-crested Cockatoo will love attention and can be very affectionate. It can also be a very playful comedian! When it gets excited it will lift up its crest like an Indian headdress, bob up and down, and even dance.

   Though they are generally very docile, they can be a bit more animated than the other Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoos. They can learn to speak and are easy to teach all kinds of tricks. They are also one of the easiest cockatoos to breed.

   Like cockatoos in general, they are a very loving type of bird. Affection is readily accepted and returned in kind. They are a pet that not only appreciates interaction but requires it and needs a lot of attention from their owners. Buy a cockatoo only if you can spend a lot of time with it.

   To learn more about Cockatoos and their needs visit:
Guide to a Happy, Healthy Cockatoo

Scientific Name:Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata

Distribution:    This bird is native to Sumba, and Indonesian island. They inhabit open woodlands, the edges of forests, and cultivated wheat fields.

Description:    The Citron-crested Cockatoo has white plummage with an orange crest on the top of the head and on the cheeks, rather than yellow like the other Lesser Sulpher-crested Cockatoos. The rest of their coloring is the same as the others with yellows on the undersides of their wings and tail, but they are a bit larger. They can learn to talk, as can most cockatoos and are easy to teach all kinds of tricks. Mature birds are about 35 cm (14 inches) in length.
  A younger bird will be similar to the adults but have pale gray eyes. The beak will also be lighter for a short period of time, until about 7 months.

Care and feeding:    A roomy cage is required unless the bird is to be let out for extended periods. Many birds can spend most of their time on a play pen or parrot perch. These birds are good fliers and avid chewers. It is good to provide them with lots of natural branches, chunks of untreated wood, or even whole coconuts to keep them busy and content.
   In the wild they eat seeds, berries, nuts, fruits and probably vegetable matter. They eat a variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, and commercial pellets, as well as the same nutritional foods humans eat.
   See About Cockatoos: Housing and About Cockatoos: Care and Feeding for more information.

Social Behaviors:    In the wild Cockatoos are friendly and peaceful. They live in pairs or small flocks though sometimes they will gather in very large flocks to feed.
   They enjoy and require a lot of affection and attention. It is often recommended that they be kept in pairs so they will keep each other company. This can help to reduce the amount of time you will have to devote to an individual bird.

Breeding/Reproduction:    See About Cockatoos: Breeding for Cockatoo breeding information.

Sexual differences:    Hard to tell the sex of young birds. As they get older the iris of the females' eyes will develop a reddish color, the males' eyes will be dark brown to black.

Potential Problems:    Cockatoos can be quite loud screechers. This behavior can be reduced by giving attention and proper surroundings. Also, since they are prone to chewing, if they are not given enough attention they will chew their own feathers.
   See About Cockatoos: Potential Problems for information on illnesses.

Availability: These birds, though not as common as the Lesser Sulpher-crested Cockatoo, are occasionally available.

Activities: Loves to climb and play and chew. Provide lots of toys.

Lastest Comments on Citron-crested Cockatoo View all 20 comments on Citron-crested Cockatoo Add Your Comment

rosie - 2012-03-22 Is it ok to feed a cockatoo or any bird milk? Charlie Roche - 2012-03-22 A little sip is not going to hurt them but they can't digest milk - at all. They are lactose intolerant and just can't digest milk or other dairy products. Reply

JOHN - 2011-01-22 I have a pair of citrons that are approx 11 and have been together a long time. I want to put a breeding box on or in their cage and have been told to build a 12"x12"x24" t box. I don't understand the layout of a t box. Can someone help me 850-653-5114 Charlie Roche - 2011-08-18 If you use a wooden box for Citrons = they will eat it faster than you can fix it. Suggest you go to China Praire farm and buy one. They are made from PVC = I blelieve. Still will chew but pretty indestructible. Other thought is a drum = I like the China Prarie with see doors and easy removal if need be. Reply

Lara & Matt - 2008-02-15 We just bought our citron from my boss. His name is Sinbad. We first met Sinbad while my boss was away on vacation and I was caring for all his birds. He has 27 birds of different kinds. Sinbad immediately flew to me and it took me a while to get him off when it was time to leave. My boyfriend would come to help me sometimes and Sinbad loved him too. He would fly back and forth between us, and it was hard to get anything done! Hey, its not easy sweeping under dozens of cages with a bird hanging off your chest! After my boss came back, Sinbad would sometimes bite him and seemed unhappy. When we would come to visit Sinbad would come right to us, talking and playing! This is very unusual because I have heard they have very strong bonds with their owners. My boss owned him for 12 years, since Sinbad was a baby! After a lot of begging, he agreed to sell us the bird. Whatever the reason he took to us, we feel blessed. Sinbad is such a joy to have around. He has such a personality, and everyday is full of new surprises! He does demand a lot of attention. Luckily, Matt and I usually work seperate shifts, because Sinbad doesnt like being in his cage. He chews anything he can get his beak on, so he has to be caged when no one is home. If you have A LOT of extra time and energy, a cockatoo is a good choice. They are so loving and wonderful companions. But its almost like having a child, very high-maintainence! They have needs that must be met. If you cant make a commitment to your cockatoo, maybe you should look into a different kind of bird. james - 2010-10-11 I think this is gonna be the right bird for me but the high maintenance part scares me. How exactly are they? I'm currently renting and my landlord also stays in the yard. Do they make a lot of noise? Reply

paige - 2010-03-14 I'm looking into getting a cockatoo and am willing to spend the time with one but am I ok to go to work for 9-10 hours at night or will that be too much time alone? I have been looking all day and can't find anything that says how much time is really ideal for spending with a cockatoo all I can find is how important it is to spend the time. Can anyone help me with this question Please! -Paige mike - 2010-03-16 It really depends on the bird. birds are like humans they all have different personalities so there will naturally be needy ones, noisy ones, quiet ones..... etc. Cockatoos are people birds, they really really like human attention but I feel like most of the time because they are so affectionate the label given to cockatoos is exaggerated. ALL birds need attention just like a toddler however, some require less. If youre worried about it dont get a bird, or better yet hang out at your local exotic bird store for an hour a day or a couple hours a week and see what bird chooses you. I guarantee you'll make time for the one bird that chooses you :-) Island mom - 2010-04-15 It's good you're asking! No! Especially a cockatoo! Even my cockatiel breeds more than that! No pet should be alone for that amount of time! Not even a cat! But Cockatoos will be miserable! So do like I did and wait! There's no way you can have little children or be that busy and own a cockatoo! Um a stay home mom with two teenagers and other pets! I adopted a Citron Cockatoo a few months ago! I adore her but she is a ton of work! I had read and researched everything and I am still shocked by the neediness! So please! Get a cool fish tank! They are incredibly enjoyable and relaxing! Any other pet you aquire will need more attention than you can give being gone that long. All the best! Oh, one more thing! My Cockatoo screams! Really really loud!!! Until you have o e you won't believe it! I live her but it drives everyone else crazy! Ali - 2010-04-17 Cockatoos do require a lot of time! I think it varies to some degree with each bird. If you are working at night, I think you will be okay, just be sure to spend time with your bird during the day. Birds have to sleep too! It's a good idea to keep a lot of toys in their cage especially wood toys they can chew up. As you've probably heard, they do love to chew and they also need to have something to keep their minds busy since they can also become bored and start feather plucking. The best advice I could give to you would be for you to contact the nearest AVIAN vet & speak with them about specific requirements for cockatoos. Besides, you will also need a good avian vet should you decide to go ahead and get a bird! Mike Scott - 2011-01-13 Paige, You need to spend 3-4 hrs of quality time with him or her. They must be out of the cage on a perch for at least the same amount of time. If not have a spouse for them (another bird to mate with will provide company). If they don't get the attention have toys and things that can occupy their time so they won't pull out their own feathers being bored to death. Mike Scott - 2011-01-13 Paige, As far as your work goes at night that is OK, as long as you can put them to sleep before you leave, when it is lights out they can be happily alone in their cage from dark to morning without noise as long as they don't hear you stirring around. Once they're up usually around sunrise they like company. Leave them alone for 5 min. and hello they will call you back. Reply

Vickie Sipes - 2007-08-27 I have been given a citron-crested cockatoo by a family member who just couldn't for health reasons keep him any more. I named him big dude. He had pulled just about all his feathers out because he had lost his mate. My aunt passed away and gave him to her son who has now given him to me along with a green parrot. He has just started to fluff again. I can't wait to see how pretty he will be when his feathers come back in. He hasn't had any for`3 years. He does screech and hiss at me but he also loves to be petted. He shakes the door of the cage to get out, I was told to keep it padlocked because he can get out and he has when I change the water and food. Hilarious. He sees the keys and goes nuts. I have only had him for a week and I think he is the funniest thing I have seen in along time. I wish I knew what to do to tame him further. He bows his head to be petted and he lets me rub his whole body, also he raises his wings to allow me to rub beneath them also. He appears to be really intelligent. It took him a whole three days to start imitating my alarm clock by beating his roost with his foot. Funny! Also the green parrot is basically viscious I am more afraid of it than big dude. Rick Houchen - 2011-01-14 I own 1 U2 and 2 Goffin 2's, and we are considering re-homing a Citron that has been owned by the same person for the past 9 years but due to financial reasons she is having to down size her flock, he is a beautiful bird based on photo's and we are going to see him next weekend, my question to you is how is your bird "now", has he gotten over the stressful move and has he bonded to you? That is my concern as well as the current owner on how Sydney will take the transfer from his current home to our home, he will have lots of interaction with me and my wife and toys plus a large bird room that he will share with my other 3 toos, please give me feed back on how your citron is doing now? Elizabeth - 2011-04-11 Hey Rick, IDK if anyone responded to your post, but I gave a home to A citron, her old owners had to give her up, they had her since a baby and she was then 12 years old. I was told she prefered men. Well once I got her home I kept her cage in the bedroom for quarantine from my other birds, I would let her out of the cage and would just hang out in the room talking to her. I didnt push trying to pet her, and she did hiss/act tough during this time. Within 2-3 days max she wanted or needed to be pet so badly that she approached me and put her head down for scratches. Once she felt that I was able to give "approprite" scratches it was done, she let me pet her anywhere, handle her completely etc, and I am a woman. She did seem bonded with my boyfriend stronger than with me, but that never stopped me or her from bonding. (I am the main caregiver to the birds) Today, 3yrs after we adopted her, I feel her bond is stronger to me than my boyfriend, (its not I'm just saying to let you know the one sex preference isnt set in stone So I feel the cockatoo's transition easier than other parrots... my african grey took months to let me handle him. I adopted him (8 y/o) 4 yrs ago. I do hope you respond, I'd love to know if you adopted the citron and if you found the same to be true Charlie Roche - 2011-04-11 It sounds like you are doing an excellent job of taming him. Just keep on doing what you are doing. Go slow. Let him eat from your hand. When you are ready, feed him with one hand and say "UP" and see if he will get on your other hand. The idea is to gradually get him away from his terrirotry (cage) and more into yours (perch). You're petting his head and he is lifting his wings. He lost his mate and he was obviously a pet at one point based on his behavior. I have a 26 year old cockatoo mate - good luck and let us know. Linda Fleming - 2012-01-08 I have had oliver my citron cockatoo for Ten years now and you're right they are very funny and loving pets. I give her milk bone doggy biscuits and she dunks them in her water before eating them. I had thought that oliver was a male, which the pet shop had told me she was. Seven years later she laid an egg I found it when I came home from work at the bottom of her cage. I didn't have the heart to change her name because she says her name all the time so I figure what the heck! Oliver, Olivia - she's happy and at least now I know I have a female. The green parrot sounds like it may have been mistreated in its past. Reply

Dena - 2011-03-14 My neighbor has a female Citron Cockatoo and is wondering if there is anything she can be given or that can be done for her to either slow or stop egg production. She has been egg bound a couple of times and my neighbor knows how to help her with that. But they do not want any babies and she is an only child in their home. Any suggestions will be appreciated. :) Thank you Reply

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