Bird of the month – Sulphur-crested cockatoo

Bird of the month - Sulphur-crested Cockatoo - Photo credit: Scott Humphris

Photo credit: Scott Humphris

With a mohawk to rival the most dedicated of punk rockers, the sulphur-crested cockatoo is our beautiful bird of the month.

This loveable cockie, easily identifiable by its sunny-coloured crest and white plumage, is a cheerful addition to our suburbs and nature reserves, and is highly intelligent, instinctively curious, with a distinctive raucous call that can be very loud!

They generally have a relatively long life span, and some have been known to live up to 70 to 100 years of age in captivity, and many have learned to dance to music and open bins for snacks!

They have also remarkably been observed using facial expressions to indicate positive emotions.

When it comes time to breed, both parents incubate the eggs and raise the nestling and the young chicks remain with their parents for many months after fledging.

To avoid being attacked whilst feeding on the ground, a flock will always appoint at least one of the group to keep watch high in a tree.

Being a very sociable creature, they will often be found in large groups, nattering away to each other as they feed on berries, seeds, and nuts.

Truly an icon of the Australian bush.

Melissa Marie

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