Pepe the cockatoo holds up one foot

Greater sulphur crested cockatoo

Overview

Experience Woburn Safari Park’s free-flying bird demonstration, see these magnificent parrots soaring and swooping in the Birds in Action Amphitheatre in the Foot Safari

Learn about these intelligent birds, and find out how they adapt and survive in the wild

Great Sulphur Crested Cockatoo looks into camera in Birds in Action ampitheatre

All about us

Distribution: East coast of Australia, extending along the northern coast and across the seas into Papua New Guinea
Habitat: Open woodland and forest areas
Height: Length 50 cm
Weight: 700-950 grams
Lifespan: Up to 60 years
Threats: Birds are routinely persecuted as crop pests

About us

Scientific name: Cacatua galerita

The greater sulphur crested cockatoo's plumage is overall white, while the under wing and tail are sulphur yellow. The expressive crest is yellow. The bill (beak) is black, the legs are grey, the eye-ring is white and the base of feathers around cheeks and throat are also yellowish.

These birds typically feed on various seeds, nuts and fruits, such as papaya, durian, langsat and rambutan. They are often viewed as pests in some states of Australia because of their habit of damaging and digging up newly sown seed and raiding ripening crops. 

Cockatoo’s crests can be raised or lowered at will and are used to communicate with fellow members of their species, allowing individuals to recognise one another and indicating moods. The crest is also used as a form of defence to frighten away other species that approach too closely, making the bird appear larger when the crest is suddenly raised.

Image of red list scale 3 least concern

Greater Sulphur Crested Cockatoo Facts

Cockatoos differ from other parrots not only because of their crests but also because they are mostly black or white (with a few notable exceptions, such as the Galah). This is caused by the lack of a special texture in their feathers. In other parrots the presence of this texture produces colour by the way it reflects light.
Unlike most parrots, cockatoos have a gall bladder.
Great Sulphur Crested Cockatoo looks into camera in Birds in Action ampitheatre

Meet Pepe the Greater Sulphur Crested Cockatoo

Pepe is a Greater Sulphur Crested Cockatoo which are native to Australia; he is by far the Park's cheekiest bird.

Red panda looks at camera surrounded by orange flowers

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