Sulpher Crested Cockatoos for Sale

 

The Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo is a beautiful and iconic Australian parrot. Despite their beauty, these are not easy birds to keep as pets because they are large, long-lived, exceedingly noisy, and a massive commitment to undertake. That said, they are still hugely popular birds that are commonly kept as pets due to their intelligence and unique beauty.

If you have the dedication and motivation, these birds make excellent pets that will likely be with you for your entire life. Read on for more info on this gorgeous parrot!

 

Common Names: Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo, Greater Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo

Scientific Name: Cacatua galerita

Adult Size: Up to 20 inches

Life Expectancy: 80 years in captivity

Origin and History

The Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo is native to Australia, New Guinea, and Indonesia and has been introduced to New Zealand, preferring to live along the edges of tropical rainforests.

 

Temperament

The Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo has a huge personality. They are vibrant, talkative, loud, and social birds that certainly make their presence known at all times, making them a challenge for some owners to keep as pets. They are affectionate animals that form strong bonds with their owners and enjoy being close to them as much as possible. This is a challenge for most people, but it’s an essential requirement in owning one of these birds. They are known to get destructive and even self-abusive — pulling out their own feathers – if they don’t get the attention and stimulation that they need.

Sulphur-Crested Cockatoos are also widely considered among the most intelligent parrots and can easily be taught to talk and perform tricks. Some experts compare their intelligence to that of a chimpanzee. They can easily learn to open cupboards or bins in search of food.

Caring for the Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo

Owners of sulphur-crested cockatoos should allow their pets a minimum of 3 to 4 hours of outside-the-cage playtime every day. Provide the bird plenty of space to climb, stretch, and flap its wings. Most cockatoo owners provide their birds with play stands or special perches for their exercise needs.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are mainly seed-eaters, feeding on seeds of grasses, herbaceous plants, trees, and grain crops. However, they also eat bulbous roots, berries, nuts and leaf buds, and some insects and their larvae. The strong beak and tongue are well-adapted for this diet.