Umbrella Cockatoo
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| Cacatua alba Müller, 1776 |
The Umbrella Cockatoo, Cacatua alba (also known as the White Cockatoo) is a medium-sized, up to 46 cm long cockatoo endemic to the islands of Halmahera, Bacan, Ternate, Tidore, Kasiruta and Mandiole in North Maluku, Indonesia. At first sight it appears to be a white parrot with brown or black eyes and a dark grey beak. If it is surprised, it extends a large and striking crest, which has a semicircular shape (similar to an umbrella, hence the name). The crest is normally recumbent. The underside of the wings and tail have pale yellow or lemon colour, which flash when they fly.
The Umbrella Cockatoo can live up to, and perhaps beyond, 80 years in age. They are very social, needing a lot of interaction. They can be very loud and their calls (a very loud screeching noise) can be heard up to three miles away.
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[edit] Description
The Umbrella Cockatoo weighs about 600 g (based on weights of two male pet birds aged about 1 and 3 years).
The feathers of the Umbrella Cockatoo are mostly white. However, both upper and lower surfaces of the inner half of the trailing edge of the large wing feathers are a yellow colour. The yellow colour is most notable on the underside of the wings because the yellow portion of the upper surface of the feather is covered by the white of the feather immediately medial (nearer to the body) and above. Similarly, areas of larger tail feathers that are covered by other tail feathers, and the innermost covered areas of the larger crest feathers, are yellow. Short white feathers grow from and closely cover the upper legs.
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[edit] Conservation status
Although the Umbrella Cockatoo is not classified as an endangered species, it is classified as vulnerable. Its number in the wild have declined owing to habitat loss and illegal trapping for the cage-bird trade. It is listed in appendix II of the CITES list of protected species. This gives it protection by making the export, import and trade of wild-caught birds illegal.
[edit] Aviculture
Hand-reared Umbrella Cockatoos can make good pets, as they are sociable, intelligent, and they can learn tricks and be trained. They require a large cage (at least 4 ft x 3 ft x 6 ft) and they need to exercise outside of their cage often. They can imitate basic human speech, but they are not considered the most able speakers among parrots. They are not an easy pet to keep and require a lot of time, devotion, and understanding from their caregivers. They can destroy furniture with their powerful beaks, and even the sweetest cockatoo may inflict a serious bite without provocation. Additionally, they can make a lot of loud noise, and their large droppings are quite messy. Umbrella cockatoos as pets need so much care and attention, and can be so destructive and expensive to keep, that they are often passed from one owner to the next. This instability is very hard on the bird and can cause self destructive behavior such as feather picking, plucking, and mutilating.
Umbrella Cockatoos tend to moult continuously, which causes a white powdery dust to form in the environment in which the birds are located. This moulting can cause respiratory problems in sensitive humans. Air filters and air purifiers placed in proximity of the bird cage, without causing drafts (these birds are especially sensitive to drafts and should not be exposed to them), can greatly minimize the dust and moulting problem. Regular bathing is another way to help control the amount of dust circulated into the air.
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[edit] References
- BirdLife International (2004). Cacatua alba. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is vulnerable
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