Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) is a parrot large in size from Oceania. It is mainly found in Australia, Papua New Guinea and on some islands in Indonesia. Its bright white plumage contrasts with its large yellow hoopoe, which it deploys to express its emotions or communicate with the other members of the group.

Classified as Least Concern (LC) by the IUCN, the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is not threatened on a global scale. However, some local populations remain vulnerable to habitat destruction and illegal trade. Like other large parrots found in the park, such as the Blue macaw Or the Scarlet macaw, it depends on territories that are large enough and wooded to feed and reproduce.

This parrot measures approximately 45 to 50 cm. Its powerful beak allows it to crack hard seeds, nuts, and thick-shelled fruits. Its diet is mainly plant-based, composed of seeds, fruits, roots and sometimes insects. This varied diet explains its great ability to adapt to different environments.

A very intelligent species, the sulphur-crested cockatoo has an excellent memory and strong learning abilities, comparable to those observed in some primates such as the Tufted capuchin. In nature, they live in structured groups, where communication plays an essential role through the sounds, postures and movements of the hoopoe.

At the Martinique Zoo, the sulphur-crested cockatoo makes it possible to approach the intelligence of birds, their sensitivity and the challenges of conservation of exotic species.