The sulphur-crested, blue-eyed, black palm and Major Mitchell's are some of the cockatoo species found at the Bird Park.

Cockatoos have distinctive head crests which are normally kept folded back on the top of the head when relaxed. These are raised as a sign of agitation or curiosity, and to signal threat or romantic intentions. The birds also puff out their plumage as a way to thermoregulate.

Being seedeaters, cockatoos have large beaks with which seeds can be dehusked efficiently. The action of the bill and tongue has been likened to the chewing action of ruminants. Sometimes cockatoos turn from their attention from wild plants to farmers’ crops. As they feed in big flocks which can potentially ruin a harvest, species like the galah have been regarded as pests and shot in great numbers.

Large cockatoos require equally large cavities for nesting. Spacious hollows are formed only in large trees but nowadays, few trees are able to grow to such a size. Large trees in forests are felled for wood and in the suburbs, they are removed for safety reasons. To satisfy the demand from the pet trade, poachers often cut down entire trees or force entry to the nest chamber to get at the chicks, permanently destroying nesting grounds. As a consequence, not only a year’s brood is lost – future broods are lost as well. Tree cavities are prime properties and cockatoos that cannot reuse their tree holes are forced to face overwhelming competition for a new spot.

We have had a lot of success in rearing cockatoos at the Bird Park, including rare ones like the blue-eyed cockatoo, which are known to be difficult to breed under human care. We also participate in the European Endangered Species Programme for the palm cockatoo, as part of internationally coordinated efforts to care for and breed endangered species. The ultimate aim of such programmes to boost the viability of the gene pool among individuals cared for at participating zoological institutions.