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Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Family: CacatuidaeCacatua galeritaPhoto Courtesy: Frank Koenders

   Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoos make very loving pets that need lots of attention. They can learn to talk, as can most cockatoos and are easy to teach all kinds of tricks!

   The Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo has been a well known bird for many years. It was collected as early as 1790 by the famous explorer, Captain Cook, on one of his voyages to Australia. They can be very long lived with one bird recorded as living for about 120 years.

   This bird is a very delightful and sweet tempered. 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

Geographic Distribution Cacatua galerita Data provided by GBIF.org Scientific Classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Psittaciformes Family: Cacatuidae

Scientific name:Cacatua galerita

Subspecies - (4):

• Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
  Cacatua galerita galerita
• Triton Cockatoo
  Cacatua galerita triton
• Medium Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
  (also called: Eleonora Cockatoo)
  Cacatua galerita eleonora
• Cacatua galerita fitzroyi

Distribution:    These birds can be found in New Guinea including the offshore islands, Aru islands, and northern and eastern Australia. It has been introduced to other places including New Zealand, the Palau Islands, and Indonesia.

Description:    Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are a full-sized cockatoo. They are primarily white with a yellow or "sulphur" colored crest on the top of their head. The underside of the wings and tail is also frequently tinged with yellow. Mature birds are about 48 cm (19 inches) in length. They are among the largest cockatoos.
   In many respects the Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo resembles the Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. Technically these two species would be referred to as 'superspecies', meaning two similar species that are geographically separated. Besides size, the Greater Sulphur-crested being a larger bird, there are a few other criteria used to identify them. The Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoos have a heavier, wider, and less protruding beak, their crest is usually narrower, and the bare skin around their eyes is much whiter.
   Birds that are called the 'Medium Sulphur-crested Cockatoo' are generally the Eleanora Cockatoo Cacatua galerita eleonora, a subspecies of Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, though in earlier writings this term sometimes referred to larger individuals of the Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.

Care and feeding:    A roomy cage is required (minimum 2 ft. x 2 ft. x 3 ft. high) 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.
   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 together in flocks of 20 or more birds.
   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 remain black. This is not always completely accurate so other means are necessary if you need to know "for sure" what sex a particular bird is.

Potential Problems:    Cockatoos can be quite loud screeches. The 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 are available from time to time.

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

Lastest Comments on Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo View all 16 comments on Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Add Your Comment

Nabeel - 2010-08-29 I have a 6 yr old and 10 yr old Greater Sulfur Cockatoo. The past owners did not teach them how to step up. One is growing feathers that were completely plucked he has feathers so far missing on the shoulders of his wings and his legs. What can I do to speed up the process for them to return? And can you train these birds at this age to step up? Can they be taught to talk more? Click For Replies (1) John - 2011-12-10 Your cockatoo is stressed. When stressed they will pluck their own feathers. They can have a bacterial infection as well, although this is rare and unlikely. The rate of regrowth is as fast as nature intends, no quicker and no slower. Simply put, there is nothing you can do to speed up the process, they will grow back when they grow back. What you can do is to de-stress your bird. Reply

rabz - 2011-11-29 In what age does a cockatoo start talking? Click For Replies (1) Charlie Roche - 2011-11-30 They make noises pretty young but won't usually start saying words or trying to before a year old. Most cockatoos are not great talkers and only learn a few words. Reply

IAN WEBB - 2009-06-23 As a pet these are not a bad bird but can be nasty when cleaning out the cage etc. I have heard of people losing fingers, but in the wild these are Australia's second worst pest. They are the farmer's nightmare and a very very destructive devastating bird. Myself I rank them up with the Indian Myna and the Cane Toad as this country's worst pests. I hope that my view does not hurt but having been on the land myself. I see the damage this bird is doing to the man on the land, who is struggling with this and the worst drought in at least 100 years. The farmer has to make a living, thank you and have a nice day Click For Replies (1) Ros Stiles - 2011-08-11 Perhaps you need to remember that humans came and took over the cockatoos food source, felled their trees and cleared their forests. So if the poor birds actually dare to take some food from your trees when you have (your ancestors or previously land owner) raped their land took away their food and shelter etc. Perhaps you could plant a few trees for the birds to help them out instead of complaining about them. And I do understand - I come from a farming background. Reply

Faye - 2010-04-13 This morning a flock of Cockatoo's screeched and squawked in the trees next to my garden. I do not know if they are greater or lesser Cockatoo's. When I went outside one of my half grown bantam chickens was missing. Can anyone tell me, Do Cockatoo's pick up prey and take it away to eat? Is it possible that a cockatoo took my bantam. Click For Replies (3) sally - 2010-06-16 Haha, no, that is definitely not possible. They are not raptors. The only meat the eat is the odd bug. Sandie - 2011-06-21 My name is Lucy, I am a greater sulpher crested cockatoo and I have asked my owner to reply because I love love love meat, but not something I have captured, although I love catching flies and bumblebees mid-flight. No, I want steak, love pork chops (bone-in please), italian meatballs, chicken bones, hotdogs, I think you get the idea. I actually feel that if it is good enough for my family then it is good enough for me. I am almost twenty years old and have been eating right along with my family every day. My cage sits right next to the dining table. I can read the packages before they are opened or prepared and I place my meal order right away. Let me tell you, some of the family (Dad) doesn't like to share EVERYTHING he eats so I have to remind him that I am still here and need some of his nachos. Boy do I love nachos with the works!! Charlie Roche - 2011-06-21 Cockatoos do like meat but they would just pick it up - more like a small bug or lizard. They wouldn't swoop down and pick up a half grown bantam. It is just too large. I can see where you would think it though but they are primarily seed/nut/vegatable eaters and are not birds of prey. Reply

VIcki - 2010-03-22 I have a 8 year old Greater Sulfur Cockatoo named SugarBear. He is spoiled rotten he believes he should eat with the family 80% of his Parrot food hits the floor because he throws it there. He loves all types of potatoes mashed french frys, augratins &weet Potatoes it doesn't matter to him he loves them all. I also give him fresh veggies ,fruit and rice. But he's driving me crazy throwing his food out I want to make sure he's getting the right amounts of Vitamins Click For Replies (4) kiah wiseman - 2010-04-12 I have a sulfur crested cockatoo named jack he's about 6 years old and I got him when I was quite young I was about 10. He's very loyal and he loves my attention. His bond with me is very strong I can take him out side and he won't fly away his wings aren't cut, he can fly. I hand raised him from an egg but I just fond out a month ago I did a DNA test he's a she. I give him fresh fruit and veggies every day so I expect him to live for 70 to 80 more years so I'll be really old when she dies. I also own a red tailed black cockatoo named max. He's about 6 month old I paid about well my dad paidd $7.000 for him and he'll live for 100+ years it's nice to know that there's another cockatoo lover out there. Alvain - 2010-12-13 This week I just buy a Greater Sulfur, she is very very friendly, but I go way for less then 30 minutes she start screaming a lot,,. Even if I keep her outside the cage, she still screaming. So unfortunately, I could not keep her at home, I need your advice since you have a good experience with your bird.. please help out to reduce the screaming.... because I'm going to be crazy. nicola - 2011-02-21 These birds waste their food all the time. They mainly throw it on the floor to get your attention bc they know it makes you mad. I have decided that they are looking for a special daily treat when they do that. Mine is usually missing his coconut cracker or peanuts in the shell. Roz - 2011-03-29 I would beg to differ with food being thrown on the floor to gain attention and desirous of getting a treat. In the wild, Cockatoos are the propagators and horticulturalists in the Australian bush or rainforest. The dropping of seed pods and fruits is essential and is how a cockatoo is "wired" to eat. Don't get too discouraged with the amount of food wasted - just give them a choice of 4-5 vegies or fruit and leave it for them to eat and take away after 1-2 hours. They love spinnich, celery, bok choy, beans, peas, sugar peas, paw paw, corn, grapes, carrot, large red chillis and Capsicum. I am unsure if you are living overseas or in Australia, but truly, the best food to give your Cockatoo is what they eat in the wild - like wattle, grevillia, gum tree branches, banksia and bottle brushes. No doubt, in doing research you would know that sunflower seed, in particular black in colour is extremely bad for your cockatoo - it will give them a fatty liver and such a diet will drive them to bit and scream. Enough of myrant - good luck with caring for your darling Cockatoo - they are gentle and tender hearted and very forgiving - they will give back to you so much more than you could ever imagine - our Sulphur Crested certainly has - we are all in love with her - she is both gorgeous and exasperating - often at the same time. All the best Reply

wendy - 2010-12-26 I need serious help I recently got a cockatoo I have wanted 1 since I was little. When I inquired about him they said he was 6 mths old (not true I'm guessing he is about 14 mths). They also said he was tame (again not true I'm guessing they got him from the wild as he is very very feisty). My questions are 1) How can I start to train him? 2) What are the right foods to give him as I have read so many sites some are saying this is good while another says it's not. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Click For Replies (2) trent hardy - 2011-03-22 Spend lots and lots of time with him. Give him lots of love and attention. . . . Charlie Roche - 2011-03-30 This is similar to a situation one that happened to me. At the time I was a novice when it came to birds and I was told that an approximately 15 year old blue/gold macaw with a quarantine band was a hand fed 6 month old baby. A friend of mine was a breeder and after Tiger ripped his arm open, I decided it was best to go slowly. I placed a perch by the cage and let Tiger go in and out at his pace. I thought this would get him used to me going by and he would feel less threatened. I then started feeding him by hand treats such as peanuts, shelled sunflower seeds etc. After he was used to my hand and showed no agression or fear, I would hold old a sunflower seed with one hand and very slowly just touch his feet with the other. The feet became the back, then the head etc. I finally taught him "UP" and he would perch on my hand. It took me about a year but Tiger did become an amzing pet with a slightly stubborn streak. However, he was affectioneete, enjoyed play and following me around the home. The more he trained me, the better behaved I became and so the more he trusted me. Lots of luck and just go slow. Cockatoos make wonderful pets and are a delight to have. Let us know how it works out for you and any tricks you come up with. Reply

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