New Zealand Introduced Animals > Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo

Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo

Cacatua galerita

INTRODUCED

DISTRIBUTION: Native to Australia, but also found in New Guinea and in small flocks throughout New Zealand.

HABITAT: Native forests and adjacent farm land.

BREEDING: 2-3 white eggs are laid in a tree hollow. Both sexes incubate the eggs which hatch after around 30 days. Nestlings leave the nest at 40 days old. Sexual maturity is reached around 4-5 years of age.

FOOD: The seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants. Also berries, nuts, grains, flowers, leaf buds, bulbous roots and insects.

VOICE: Harsh screeching with an up turned high note or quiet chattering.

GENERAL: Main plumage is white with pale yellow ear coverts, base of cheek and throat, and a yellow foward curving crest. Males have a brown iris, the female’s is red-brown. It is considered a pest due to its destructive nature, as it can destroy farm crops and bush land.


© New Zealand Conservation Trust 2006 - 2010, 60 Hussey Rd, Harewood, Christchurch Phone: +64 3 359 6226, Fax: +64 3 359 6212, Email: info@nzconservationtrust.org.nz		Privacy \| Disclaimer \| Site Map website by digitise