Cockatoos are parrots. The 21 different species call Australia and parts of Southeast Asia home. Despite being mostly monochromatic – in shades of white, grey and black – many cockatoos have pops of color on their tails and headcrests. Cockatoos have a lot in common with other parrots, such as hooked bills, the ability to mimic sounds, and zygodactyl feet – that means the middle two toes point forward and the outer toes point backward. Their headcrests are likely the most familiar trait. These feathers often pop up when the birds are excited.
Species: Cacatua sulphurea
Average size: 12-14 inches long, average weight of 0.55-0.88 pound
Median life expectancy: Up to 50 years
Key physical characteristics: Mostly white with yellow feathers on cheeks and headcrests
Native regions/habitat range: Forested areas, scrubland and savannas in Timor, Indonesia; introduced populations in China, Hong Kong and Singapore
Eating habits: Fruits, flowers, seeds and young leaves
Conservation status: Yellow-crested cockatoos are listed as Critically Endangered on IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species due to international trade as pets. Protecting them from trade and conserving the forest habitat they need for nesting and food have been key priorities in their conservation.
Individuals in Indianapolis: Kori
Species: Cacatua goffiniana
Average size: 11.8-12.5 inches long, average weight of 0.66 pound
Median life expectancy: Up to 60 years
Key physical characteristics: Mostly white with salmon pink in their headcrest and neck, as well as light pink coloration between the eyes and beak
Native regions/habitat range: Forests and agricultural land on the Tanimbar Islands of Yamdena and Larat; introduced populations in Taiwan and Singapore
Eating habits: Grains, seeds, flowers, fruits and roots
Conservation status: Goffin’s cockatoos are listed as Near Threatened on IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species. They are abundant and not at high risk of extinction. However, they rely on trees for nesting, so conserving both living trees and hollow trees is important. These birds have been trapped for international trade and are considered crop pests in some areas.
Individuals in Indianapolis: Mothra, Rodan
Species: Cacatua sanguinea
Average size: 14-15.3 inches long, average weight of 1-1.3 pounds
Median life expectancy: Up to 80 years
Key physical characteristics: Mostly white with a splash of pink between their eyes and bill, giving them the translation of their Latin name: “blood-stained”
Native regions/habitat range: Grasslands near water in Australia
Eating habits: Grains, grass seeds, bulbs and fruits
Conservation status: Little Corella cockatoos are listed as Least Concern on IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species. They are abundant and not at risk of extinction. However, they rely on trees for nesting, so conserving both living trees and hollow trees is important. They thrive in grassy areas, so agricultural activity has created more habitat for these birds, making them a nuisance in some areas.
Individuals in Indianapolis: Vitta Lucci
Species: Cacatua leadbeateri
Average size: 13-15.75 inches long, average weight of 0.75-1 pound
Median life expectancy: Up to 80 years
Key physical characteristics: Mostly white with a vibrant red- and yellow-streaked headcrest; only cockatoo with a multicolored crest; splashes of pink on their chest and abdomen
Native regions/habitat range: Semiarid forested grasslands and savannas in central and southwestern Australia
Eating habits: Grains, seeds, nuts, fruits, tubers and insects
Conservation status: Major Mitchell’s cockatoos are listed as Least Concern on IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species. However, they rely on trees for their habitat and for nesting, so conserving both living trees and hollow trees is important.
Individuals in Indianapolis: Sophie, Valentino
Species: Cacatua moluccensis
Average size: 15.8-19.7 inches long, average weight of 1.7-2 pounds
Median life expectancy: Up to 60 years
Key physical characteristics: Mostly white with a salmon-pink tinge to its body and headcrest and some yellow under its wings
Native regions/habitat range: Rainforests in Seram, Indonesia
Eating habits: Seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, green coconuts and insects
Conservation status: Salmon-crested cockatoos are listed as Vulnerable on IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species. They rely on trees for habitat and for nesting, so conserving both living and hollow trees is important. These cockatoos have been removed from their native habitat through the pet trade and suffered population declines.
Individuals in Indianapolis: Peaches
Species: Cacatua galerita
Average size: 17-21.5 inches long, average weight of 1.76-2.15 pounds
Median life expectancy: Up to 100 years
Key physical characteristics: Mostly white with a yellow headcrest and yellow under its wings
Native regions/habitat range: Forested areas and savannahs in northern and eastern Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea
Eating habits: Seeds, nuts, fruits, flowers and insects
Conservation status: Sulphur-crested cockatoos are listed as Least Concern on IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species. They rely on trees for habitat and for nesting, so conserving both living and hollow trees is important. They are a protected species under the Wild Bird Conservation Act.
Individuals in Indianapolis: Pearl, Donovan (Elenora Cockcatoo, subspecies of Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo)
Species: Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata
Average size: 12-14 inches long, average weight of 0.55-0.88 pound
Median life expectancy: Up to 50 years
Key physical characteristics: Mostly white with orange feathers on cheeks and headcrests
Native regions/habitat range: Forested areas, scrubland and Sumba, Indonesia
Eating habits: Fruits, flowers, seeds and young leaves
Conservation status: Citron-crested cockatoos are listed as Critically Endangered on IUCN’s Red List of Threatened Species due to international trade as pets. Protecting them from trade and conserving the forest habitat they need for nesting and food have been key priorities in their conservation.
Individuals in Indianapolis: Tangelo
Look no further. Connect with our amazing animals and learn about the wild places they come from.
While red kangaroos hop around at your feet, cockatoos fly above in our new interactive Kangaroo Crossing space. You might see the cockatoos dancing with their colorful headcrests bobbing, or perhaps you’ll hear them mimicking words and whistles they’ve heard from other guests. We have seven species of cockatoos, including yellow-crested, Goffin’s, little Corella, long-billed Corella, Major Mitchell’s, salmon-crested and sulphur-crested. Some of these species are Critically Endangered in the wild, others are commonly found in playgrounds and parks in Australia.
