The Citron-crested Cockatoo, Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata, is the smallest of the Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoos subspecies. They are critically endangered in their native range of Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands and Sumba.
Description:
The Citron-crested cockatoo has an orange crest instead of the typical yellow of the other sulphur-crested cockatoo species.
They have pale orange ear patches. The underside of the larger wing and tail feathers have a pale yellow color.
The beak is dark grey. They have strong feet and claws. The eye color ranges from brown through very dark brown to black.
The citron-crested cockatoos is classified as an endangered species. Its numbers in the wild have declined due to habitat loss and illegal trapping for the cage-bird trade.
It is listed in appendex 1 of the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna) list of protected species.
CITES protects endangered species like the cockatoo, by making the trade of wild-caught birds illegal.
However, trade of the cockatoos bred in captivity is permitted. Each bird bred in captivity is given a CITES certificate to prove that it is not a wild caught bird. The CITES certificate must accompany its sale or resale.
Citron-crested cockatoos as pets
Hand-reared citron-crested cockatoos can make good pets, as they are generally friendly and sociable, and of a curious nature.
They do like to chew, but are not as noisy as most cockatoos. In fact, generally they are quiet, but they can make a moderately loud honking/screeching sound. They can also make a repetitive quieter whistling/squeaking noise.
They are not good at imitating human speech as some members of the parrot family, having a vocabulary of up to only 15 words or phrases.
They readily learn tricks and they can be trained. They often raise the crest feathers in display or when surprised. Their droppings are semi-solid and can be messy.
As with many cockatoo species, Citron-crested Cockatoos taken as pets need much greater care and attention than other companion parrots.
They are not common in pet stores, but are becoming more popular with breeders. Each bird must be sold with an official CITES certificate to prove that it was bred in captivity.
Taxonomy:
Genus: English: White Black-billed Cockatoos … Dutch: Wit and Zwartsnavelkakatoes … German: Eigentliche Kakadus … French: Cacatoès
Species: Scientific: Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata … English: Citron-crested Cockatoos …Dutch: Orangekuifkakatoe … German: Orangehaubenkakadu …French: Petit Cacatoès à huppe orangée
CITES II – Endangered Species … Distribution: Sumba
