Goffins

Goffins, or Goffin's cockatoos, are a small, white cockatoo species in the genus Cacatua (family Cacatuidae). The scientific name is Cacatua goffiniana. They are native to the Tanimbar Islands in Indonesia, where they inhabit forests, woodland edges, and mangrove areas. They are popular in aviculture and have become common in captivity worldwide.

Adults are about 30–33 cm long and are predominantly white, with a yellow crest that rises when alarmed or excited. The face is bare skin, usually pink to light brown, and the beak is dark gray to black. They may show a pale yellow wash on the chest and underwings.

They are social birds that form in pairs or small groups. In the wild they feed on seeds, fruits, nuts, buds, and occasionally insects. They are known for intelligence and problem-solving abilities and have been studied in cognitive experiments; in captivity they require enrichment to prevent boredom and stress; they can be noisy and destructive without adequate stimulation.

They nest in tree hollows; clutches typically consist of two to four eggs; incubation lasts about 28–31 days, with both parents involved in incubation and feeding of the chicks.

Conservation and captivity: Habitat loss and capture for the pet trade have reduced wild populations. They are regulated by international wildlife trade controls under CITES; Indonesian laws protect the species; captive breeding programs exist to support sustainable populations and reduce pressure on wild birds.