(according to molecular analysis) (Wright 2008) during the period when Australia, South America and Antarctica were breaking away from the super-continent Gondwanaland where the ancestral parrots were believed to have evolved.Īlthough white cockatoos and related species have historically been referred to as “white parrots”, taxonomically they are not considered to be “true parrots”. (according to the fossil record) or 66 m.y.a. While psittaciform parrots (true parrots) and cockatoos have many common anatomical attributes such as zygodactyl feet and hooked bills, the cockatoos and true parrots diverged from the ancestral parrots as separate lineages as early as 45 m.y.a. The term "white cockatoo" has also been applied as a group term to members of the subgenus Cacatua, the genus Cacatua as well as larger groups including Major Mitchell's cockatoo and the galah cockatoo. It lies in the subgenus Cacatua within the genus Cacatua. Its species name alba is a feminine form of the Latin adjective albus for "white". The white cockatoo was first described in 1776 by German zoologist Philipp Ludwig Statius Müller. The white cockatoo is known as ayab (plural form: ayot) in the Burmeso language of Papua, Indonesia. It is similar to other species of white cockatoo such as yellow-crested cockatoo, sulphur-crested cockatoo, and salmon-crested cockatoo, all of which have yellow, orange or pink crest feathers instead of white. The wings and tail have a pale yellow or lemon color which is exposed when they fly. When surprised, it extends a large and striking head crest, which has a semicircular shape (similar to an umbrella, hence the alternative name). If you sense tension, consider giving your cockatoo its own separate living area.The white cockatoo ( Cacatua alba), also known as the umbrella cockatoo, is a medium-sized all-white cockatoo endemic to tropical rainforest on islands of Indonesia. Last but not least, observe how your cockatoo interacts with your other pets. A professional groomer can perform these tasks without hurting your pet. Cockatoos require occasional grooming of their feathers, nails, and beaks. Schedule periodic veterinary wellness exams for your cockatoo to catch any illnesses that require immediate treatment. You can also feed them fruits and vegetables as treats. (Take care not to get a male and female unless you're interested in breeding them!) To ensure that your cockatoos get the nutrition necessary for good health, feed them prepared seed mixes that include sprouted seeds that should be available at your local pet store. Cockatoos also do best when paired, so consider getting two birds instead of just one. In addition to their insatiable desire for human interaction, cockatoos need plenty of toys to stimulate them and occupy their attention. An umbrella cockatoo also makes a gentle, well-behaved, family-friendly choice. If you'd prefer a cockatoo on the quiet end of the noise spectrum (and can spend several hours a day interacting with your pet), choose a citron cockatoo. If you want a sweet-natured, easy-to-handle bird, choose the relatively compact bare-eyed cockatoo. While cockatoos in general can prove more demanding than many other pet birds, some species make better companions for beginners than others. Consider whether your lifestyle is compatible with these needs before going further. If you spend most of your time away from home, your cockatoo may become deeply unhappy and develop behavioral or physical health problems. Cockatoos also enjoy making loud, unprompted squawks and screeches, so take this into consideration if noise in your home represents a problem.Ĭockatoos also bond deeply with their owners, demanding daily care, stimulation, and interaction. But be patient, because this training process can take quite some time. Many prospective cockatoo owners look forward to teaching their new friends to mimic all kinds of sounds, including speech. What Prospective Cockatoo Owners Should Know However, before you bring a cockatoo home for the first time, you need to understand the following points about these occasionally demanding birds. Members of the Cacatuidae family, better known as cockatoos, can provide those qualities in abundance. If you're looking for a lively, affectionate, intelligent pet, you don't have to limit yourself to a dog or cat.
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