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The crest is usually white but can have a slightly yellow or pinkish tinge in some individuals. When they are excited or alarmed, they can raise their head feathers, creating a striking and elegant crest. One of the most distinctive features of the white cockatoo is its expressive crest.
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The upper legs typically have a covering of short white feathers. This type of foot is effective for grasping and manipulating objects. White Cockatoos share the same feature with the Parrot | GlobalP and wrangel via Getty Images This is a feature they share with parrots, too. Their feet have zygodactyl digits, meaning they have two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward. Similarly, some of the tail feathers also tend to be yellow. This notably yellow portion tends to stand out against the contrasting white color of the other feathers surrounding it. However, the trailing edge of their large wing feathers tends to have a yellow color on the upper and lower surfaces. White as day, isn’t it? | mauinow1 via Getty ImagesĪs the name implies, the white cockatoo’s main color is white. One of the most distinctive features of cockatoos that set them apart from superficially similar parrots is their color.Ĭockatoos are typically black or white with small hints of pink, red, or yellow.Ĭonversely, parrots have green plumage with hints of yellow, red, or pink. Males also tend to have bigger heads and beaks compared to the females.Īpart from this and the differences in their size, there’s barely any other difference between males and females. Males are typically bigger, with an average weight of about 800 grams (28 ounces), while females only weigh about 400 grams (14 ounces). It measures about 46 centimeters (18 inches) long on average. The white cockatoo is a medium-sized bird. Physical Characteristics Take a look at this cute one! | Asli Akkaya via Getty Images They, however, differ in terms of their overall coloration and the distinct head-crest of the cockatoo. They have remained relatively similar over the course of their evolutionary history, with barely any difference in their overall appearance.
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Some of the anatomical similarities between these groups of birds include a hooked bill and zygodactyl feet.ĭespite these similarities, cockatoos and true parrots may have diverged from a common lineage as far back as 66 million years ago. They both belong to the order Psittaciformes, which includes all 21 species of cockatoos, the true parrots (Psittacoidea) and the large New Zealand parrots (Strigopoidea). Gage Beasley’s White Cockatoo Bird Soft Stuffed Plush Toy The white cockatoo belongs to the genus Cacatua alongside others like the blue-eyed cockatoo, Moluccan cockatoo, red-vented cockatoo, and yellow-crested cockatoo.Ĭockatoo and parrots are superficially similar and also related. Other common names for this bird include umbrella cockatoo and ayab, which is the local name it is called on Papua Island in Indonesia. The white cockatoo is known scientifically as Cacatua alba. Taxonomy and Classification Close-up of the Cacatua alba, also known as the White Cockatoo | DKart via Getty Images We’ll also discuss the ecological role of this species and ongoing conservation efforts to preserve them in the wild. In this article, we profile the white cockatoo, detailing its physical characteristics, habitats, and habits. This is why studying and learning more about this bird species is becoming considerably important. report this ad Just a White Cockatoo chilling on wood | Reynita Rosita via Getty ImagesĪlthough the desire to keep white cockatoos as pets might seem like a cute idea, this activity is also threatening their population in the wild, which is currently on a decline. It has also been introduced to other regions of the world, where they’re mostly kept as pets. The white cockatoo is native to the tropical rainforest of Indonesia It is also known as the umbrella cockatoo due to the semi-circular crest that extends out of its head when startled. The white cockatoo is one of the few birds with a predominantly single solid color. Most birds have an intricate collage of colors for their feathers, but a few are monochromatic, too. Leave a comment / By: Jerry Young / Updated on: 5th September 2023 Name White Cockatoo Diet Herbivorous Scientific name Cacatua alba Weight 400 to 800 grams (14 to 28 ounces) Pronunciation wite kaa-kuh-too Length 46 centimeters (18 inches) Classification Aves, Psittaciformes, & Cacatuidae Location Indonesia (Asia) The White Cockatoo White Cockatoo | keiichihiki via Getty Images
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