Cockatoos  for  You!

COCKATOOS - are  any of several species of crested
parrots officially known as Cacatuinae  (family Psittacidae).

Most  of  the  accepted 17 sub-species are  white in 
plumage, with occasional touches of  red or yellow;
and some less often seen sub-species are even black.

Cacatua (or Kakatoe) species are mainly  white.  The
Leadbeater's or Pink  Cockatoo is washed with pink  and
has a yellow and red band that  crosses its sweeping 
crest.   Some of the sub-species of Cockatoo that  are 
most  often  desired  as  pets  for  avian  lovers, are  the 
Moluccan,  Umbrella, Mobrella, Triton, Bare-Eyed, Goffin,
Citron, Lesser  Sulphur,  Medium  Sulphur,  Rose 
Breasted  and  Eleanora  Varieties.

These unique creatures originate in Australia and from
Malaya to  the Solomon Islands.  Many sub-species are
specific to  various locations throughout  their native  regions.
Most  Cockatoo species are  well adapted to dry  climates.
The major exception is  that  of  the Palm Cockatoo, which is
most  at  home in tropical rainforest  habitats.

One of the things unique to Cockatoos, and  their  smaller
cousins  the cockatiels, is  their unusual and often  magnificent
crests.  They  are the only  members of  the  Parrot  family
(psittacines) to have such a  feature and they display it well.

Crests range in color  from  white to pink, to orange to black.
They  vary  in  size, shape  and  design as  well.  This  crowning 
glory  is  one  of  the  reasons  that  people  are  so  enthralled
by  the  Cockatoos'  beauty  and  are  so  attracted  to  these 
birds.
 

Crests are much  more than an  ornament.  As they  evolved,
so  did  their  uses.  A major purpose of the crest is 
communication.  A raised crest is a signal to another bird 
(or  human),  whether it  be  friend,  mate  or  foe.  

In combination  with  other  parts  of the body,  a  Cockatoo
can  indicate that it is defending it's territory, displaying 
for  its  mate, calling  to  the  flock,  defending the flock, 
expressing  fear  or  frustration, telling  the  world  "I'm  Here"
asking  a  question or  just  taking  a  stretch.

Conversely  a  lowered  crest  may  indicate  approachability, friendliness and  a  number  of  other  non  threatening  situations.
As  one  observes  the  various  postures and  listens to  any accompanying  vocalizations, it  soon  becomes  clear  what 
each one  means.

As a general rule of  thumb, if  a Cockatoo has its crest 
raised, beware.  Often it indicates that something is bothering
the  bird and an aggressive action may  soon follow.  To a pet
owner  this can be a nasty  bite.  
 

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Cockatoos 2
Cockatoos, Recursive Crest, Recumbent Crest, Umbrella Cockatoo,
Moluccan Cockatoo, Characteristics, Personality, Behavior, Intelligent birds.
 

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