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CITRON-CRESTED COCKATOO
 
   
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION
FAST FACTS
FUN FACTS
ECOLOGY & CONSERVATION
BIBLIOGRAPHY
MENU - PSITTACIFORMES
 
SCIENTIFIC CLASSIFICATION
COMMON NAME: citron-crested cockatoo
KINGDOM: Animalia
PHYLUM: Chordata
CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Psittaciformes
FAMILY: Cacatuidae
GENUS SPECIES: Cacatua (referring to the bird's call) sulphurea (yellow) citronocristata (orange)
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FAST FACTS
DESCRIPTION: This is a large, white parrot with an orange crest and light orange ear spots. The feathers under the wing and tail are yellow, and the beak is hooked.
SIZE: Approximately 30 to 32.5 cm (12-13 in)
WEIGHT: Approximately 360-425 g (12.6-14.9 oz.)
DIET: Includes seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, and some insects
INCUBATION: Approximately 30 days
CLUTCH SIZE 2-6 eggs
SEXUAL MATURITY: Approximately 2-3 years
LIFE SPAN: Approximately 65 or more years
RANGE: Indonesia, Lesser Sunda Islands and Sumba
HABITAT: Inhabits forests, scrubs, and grasslands
POPULATION: GLOBAL Unknown
STATUS: IUCN Not listed
CITES Appendix II
USFWS Critically Endangered
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FUN FACTS
1. These birds are often regarded as pests because of their diets (sometimes feeding on crops); licensed culling is permitted in certain states.
2. Both parents take part in incubating the eggs.
3. Cockatoos can mimic the sounds of other animals, including people.
4. Cockatoos can hold their food in one foot and break pieces off of it with the other foot.
5. Cockatoos live in small loose flocks.
6. They are very gregarious and quickly learn to mimic. These birds also have a very shrill cry.
7. These birds are thought to be one of the rarest parrots on Sumba Island. In 1993, studies estimated citron populations to be 1,150-1,850 individuals.
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ECOLOGY AND CONSERVATION

Cockatoos are a food source for many animals larger than themselves.

Their feeding habits are very destructive, which annoys most gardeners.

Cockatoos aid in seed dispersal through their eating of fruit.

Citron cockatoos are not common in the pet trade, due to difficulties with successful breeding programs and they are not as popular as other cockatoo species.

The U.S. Wild Bird Act forbids the commercial import of any bird listed by CITES which includes most parrots - endangered or threatened.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

Austin, G. Birds of the World. New York. Golden Press, Inc., 1961.
Decoten, A.E. Handbook of Cockatoos. Neptune City, NJ. T.F.H. Pub., 1981.

Diefenbach, K. The World of Cockatoos. Neptune City. NJ. T.F.H. Publications, 1985.

Forshaw, J.M. Parrots of the World. Neptune City, NJ. T.F.H. Publications, 1977.
Gotch, A.F. Birds - Their Latin Names Explained. UK. Blandford Books Ltd., 1981.
Simpson, D.P. Cassell's Latin Dictionary. New York. Macmillan Publishing Company, 1959.
http://www.xmission.com/~hoglezoo/birds/cockatoo.htm
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