Sulphur - crested Cockatoo

1. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo By Hey Cheuk

2. Description • Scientific name: Cacatuagalerita • It has a total length of 44–55 cm, the plumage is all white, but the underwing and tail are tinged yellow, the expressive crest is yellow, the bill is black, the leg are grey and the eye-ring is whitish. • Male Sulphur-crested Cockatoo has almost black eyes, which females has a more red or blown eyes.

3. When were the species introduced? • Latham, 1790 • Within Australia, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos of the nominate race have also been introduced to Perth. • Outside Australia, they have been introduced to Singapore, where their numbers have been estimated to be between 500 and 2000. • They have also been introduced to Palau and New Zealand. • In New Zealand the introduced populations may number less than 1000. This species has also been recorded as established in Hawaii and from various islands in Wallacea (e.g. Kai Islands and Ambon), but it is unclear if it has managed to become established there.

4. How are they affecting the new ecosystem? • Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, along with many other parrots, are susceptible to psittacine beak and feather disease, a viral disease, which causes birds to lose their feathers and grow grotesquely shaped beaks. • The disease occurs naturally in the wild,and in captivity. • The disease causes the parrot to die of quickly so the prey(what they eat) will have more and more. • They also cause damage to cereal and fruit crops, newly planted tree seedling, and soft timber on houses and outdoor furniture.

5. What is being done to restore the state of the food chain/web? • Government permit is required, as they are a protected species under the Australian Commonwealth Law.

6. Resources • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sulphur-crested_Cockatoo • Google image