Cacatua

Cacatua is a genus of cockatoos in the family Cacatuidae, comprising several species commonly referred to as white cockatoos. Members of this genus are typically large, predominantly white parrots with a prominent movable crest that can be displayed when alarmed or excited. Many species have touches of yellow or salmon on the crest or body, and they often have bare facial skin around the eyes in various colors.

Distribution and habitat: The genus is native to Australia, New Guinea, and several Indonesian islands, including the Moluccas. They inhabit a range of environments from forests and woodlands to savannas and sometimes urban areas where large trees are available for nesting and roosting.

Behavior and diet: Cacatous are social birds that commonly form flocks outside the breeding season. They are known for intelligence and vocal activity, and in captivity many species can mimic sounds or human speech. Their diet includes seeds, nuts, fruits, tubers, and occasionally insects or vegetation found in their habitat.

Breeding: These cockatoos are cavity nesters, nesting in hollows of trees. Clutch size typically ranges from two to four eggs, with both parents involved in incubation and care of the young. Young fledge after several weeks and may require continued parental care for additional time.

Conservation and captivity: Several Cacatua species face threats from habitat loss and capture for the pet trade. The yellow-crested cockatoo is among the most endangered, while other species range from near-threatened to common in appropriate habitats. In captivity, they are long-lived and require substantial space, enrichment, and social interaction to maintain welfare. Representative species include the sulphur-crested cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), the yellow-crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea), the Moluccan cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis), the Goffin's cockatoo (Cacatua goffiniana), the Leadbeater's cockatoo (Cacatua leadbeateri), and the white/or umbrella cockatoo (Cacatua alba).