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Citron Crested Cockatoos
(Cacatua Sulphurea citrinocristata)
| The Citron Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata) is one of the sub species of the Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo and as such is CITES Appendix 1 listed. Differing from the nominate race (sulphurea) by the colour of the crest and ear coverts. These being orange in the Citron Crested. They are also usually slightly larger, at approximately 13 inches. |
They originate only from the Indonesian island of Sumba, (not Australia) now in very small numbers and are critically endangered in their natural habitat.
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| Description Their under tail and wing feathers are yellow and the eyes are the same as the nominate race, very dark brown to black in young birds. With the eye of the females turning reddish brown when they reach 2-3 years old, and the males retaining a very dark eye colour. Their feet and beaks are black. See our page: Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoos
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These cockatoos, as with the nominate Lesser Sulphur Crested (cacatua sulphurea) have in the past, nearly always in captivity, been sold as pets. Either taken as eggs from the nest or taken from the nest at a few weeks old for hand rearing. |
| Population They have along with the nominate Lesser Sulphur Crested, suffered an 80% population decline in the wild, over three generations, with an estimate of around only 2,000 birds remaining. This decline due mainly to unsustainable trapping for the pet trade. |
Plus, massive deforestation and adverse weather conditions mean a loss of natural nesting sites for these birds. Research is currently being carried out to find out what can be done (if anything) to negate the rapid decline of remaining wild populations. Indonesia and its islands currently also suffer from much civil unrest. This fact making any attempts at conservation, far more difficult than they would normally be during peaceful times. It may be too late to save this bird in the wild. |
| Photograph Right: These are wild caught Citron Crested Cockatoos. In the crate ready for export. 5 out of 7 of these birds die before reaching their destination. Due to the stress of capture, some of these birds kill each other in the crates. Photo used with permission from Stuart Marsden© |
Wild Caught Citron Crested Cockatoos in cage
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Critically Endangered The Citron Crested Cockatoo as a sub species of the nominate Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo is now categorised as a CITES Appendix 1 species.
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Non Pet Potential It is also listed on the IUCN Red List, categorised as critically endangered. (IUCN - International Union for Conservation in Nature) An Article 10 certificate must legally be obtained before sale or purchase of these birds. They are too rare to be household pets. They are also as with most other cockatoos extremely demanding and therefore even if they were not endangered, they would not be suitable for most households as pets. Although, unfortunately these facts do not always deter, and still so many end up as pets, and subsequently rescue centres. |
| If you keep these cockatoos either as pets or breeding birds, please register them with the Stud Book. This helps keep track of how many birds and where they are. How many are bred and sold as pets etc. This information is so relevant as they are an endangered species. We are an official Stud Book. We can be contacted on our e-mail ckcbirds@yahoo.co.uk, or through our business address: CKC On-Line Shop, PO Box 206, Stwmarket, Suffolk, UK. All information is kept strictly confidential. After registering your birds we will forward to you a copy of our stud book report which is full of information about these cockatoos. |
| Breeding If Citron Crested cockatoos are to be kept as aviary birds, they also must have very large flights, with a very minimum of 15ft in length. They are not birds for the beginner, and as with all cockatoos - they are unpredictable, particularly when breeding.
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There are more males available than females. This is because the males attack the females, quite frequently these attacks are fatal. Thus making a shortage of female cockatoos.
Unscrupulous people may try and sell you a lady killer, or just as bad, try and pair up a lady killer with a young inexperienced female cockatoo. With inevitable fatal consequences. |
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WHAT YOU CAN DO: Firstly, do not buy a hand reared Citron Crested cockatoo as a pet. Do not purchase Citron Crested cockatoos as breeding birds unless you have experience with cockatoo breeding. iIf you do know anyone breeding from these birds, please pass on this information and try to dissuade them from selling their young birds as pets.
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