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Jurong Bird Park Jurong Bird Park

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  • Cockatoo

Cockatoos

Found at
Parrot Paradise
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Quick facts

Lifespan

Lifespan

40-60 years on average,

even over 100 years under human care

Diet

Diet

Seeds,

fruits, nuts, berries, blossoms, roots, leaf buds

Habitat

Habitat

Forests,

scrublands, eucalyptus groves, mangroves and open country.

Range

Range

Australia,

New Guinea, Indonesia, Solomon Islands and the Philippines

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The cockatoos

Head-turning head crests

Head-turning head crests

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.
Beaks for seeds

Beaks for seeds

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.
Hollowed out

Hollowed out

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.
Breeding cockatoos

Breeding cockatoos

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.

Together, we protect wildlife

Conserving cockatoos

Conserving cockatoos

We have been very successful in breeding the cockatoos in our living collection. In the field, we have supported the Katala Foundation’s citizen science and conservation education project to protect the critically endangered Philippine cockatoo and its Rasa Island habitat.

As part of outreach, the team organized educational field trips for the locals of Narra to Rasa and the Katala Institute. Our funding helped provide essential bird-watching equipment.

The IUCN Status

CR

Critically Endangered

At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.

DD

Data Deficient

Unknown risk of extinction

LC

Least Concern

At relatively low risk of extinction

NT

Near Threatened

Likely to become vulnerable in the near future

VU

Vulnerable

At high risk of extinction in the wild

EN

Endangered

At very high risk of extinction in the wild

CR

Critically Endangered

At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild

EW

Extinct in the Wild

Survives only in captivity

EX

Extinct

No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity

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Every visit to our parks comes with

Every visit to our parks comes with
Find out how, together, we're creating a better future for wildlife and the planet.

Opening hours

8.30am - 6.00pm (Last entry at 5.00pm)

Open from Thursdays to Sundays, eves of and on Public Holidays, and selected school holidays

Address

2 Jurong Hill
Singapore 628925

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