They have a very wide distribution in the wild, stretching from Indonesia - the Moluccas and Papua New Guinea, to northern, eastern and south eastern Australia. There are smaller populations on New Zealand and in south western Australia but are thought to have been introduced here, not naturally occuring. 

Cacatua galerita galerita - nominate

Mainly white plumage with a narrow yellow curved crest, yellow on the underside of flight and tail feathers and pale yellow colouring on ear coverts. They have a blackish beak and feet, white eye ring with the iris being dark brown to black in adult males and reddish brown in females. Although this is not clearly apparent in all females, some need closer inspection. DNA sexing is the only sure way to differentiate in some birds. 

As some females do have a prominent reddish brown iris and others dark brown to black, it is thought (although not known for sure), that maybe the difference in eye colour in adult birds could be due to the origin or locality.

Weight has been recorded at between 700-1000g, males larger than females.

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Cacatua galerita fitzroyi 

Different from the nominate by yellower feathering on the ear coverts, a pale blue eye ring and longer crest feathers. They are also smaller in size with weights being recorded between 600-800g. 

Found mainly in north and west Australia and not as common as galerita.

Cacatua galerita queenslandica (Forshaw - Australian Parrots 3rd revised edition)

Described as like galerita but with a broader beak. Smaller in size with weights being recorded as between 600-700g. Found along the Cape York Peninsula.

These cockatoos are stated as being common in towns and cities across Australia, particularly Sydney and Canberra, although apparently not as common as we in the UK would class a blackbird. They can at times be seen feeding in the parks and in urban backyards (gardens). I have a photo and article from the Australian Daily Telegraph August 2002 showing a group of these cockatoos feeding on a lawn in an urban backyard, surrounded by washing on a line, seemingly totally unconcerned. Apparently drawn to the urban areas in search of food and water during the droughts of last year.

It is a fact that these beautiful birds are not popular with many Australians. Reasons why: 

In the urban areas the flocks can congregate on telephone wires and strip wood from houses. The Australians mainly have houses built from wood, (so they would be upset). They are noisy and because of the numbers of birds which may flock together; they will prove to be messy. In the rural areas they are not popular with the farmers and the respective local governments because they raid the crops and fruit orchards. 

However what many (seemingly) fail to realise is the fact that there are so many of these cockatoos; is due to man's intervention. Clearing the forests for agricultural crops loses the birds not only their habitat and nesting availability, but their natural food source. Then man goes and plants corn (could be their favourite food) and fruit orchards in their place. 

This then forcing the birds into man's 'jurisdiction' for survival. If we remove their natural habitat and diet and then provide an alternative for them albeit unwittingly; who can blame the birds?

Particularly in Western Australia this cockatoo (amongst others) is classed as a pest species and is trapped and killed. Sometimes by shooting, sometimes by trapping then poisoning with gas. The traps used are usually walk in traps baited with food. These are very large with funnel entrances so the birds can enter but not escape. When enough birds have been caught, they are caught up and placed in a bag and gassed.

This culling mainly happens in Western Australia as Western Australia class this bird as a non native species. Anything flora or fauna not naturally occurring in Western Australia is systematically removed.

Food and water supplies are also poisoned at points where the cockatoos gather as another way of attempting to kill these birds. This is not only barbaric as the poison does not kill the birds outright and they suffer for days before death; if they do not actually die after this, they are clubbed to finish them off.

Poisoning the food and water also causes untold damage to species other than the cockatoos.

As far as I am aware poisoning in this manner is not legal as trapping and shooting are. 

Some aviculturists believe that the crop damage today is no different to that of many years ago, that it has not become worse, as there has always been a certain amount of damage by cockatoos. That the amount of damage caused relates to the successful breeding of the cockatoos (or not). In times of drought the breeding success may be lower thus the damage would be less

Stan Sindel (Sindel & Lynn) writes in 'Australian Cockatoos' that 'Such situations of major crop damage should be categorised as natural disasters along with fire, flood, grasshopper plagues etc'. He also writes that protection of these birds should prevail when there are not excessive numbers.

See our page: Cockatoo Culling in Australia - Did You Know?

Grass seeds, berries including hawthorn, nuts including pine, fruit, fruit seeds and flowers, insects and larvae. Of course they do also eat agricultural crops. 

Greater Sulphur Crested cockatoos in the wild usually nest in hollow limbs of Eucalyptus trees, preferably near water. They can lay up to 3 eggs in any one clutch at 2-3 day intervals. However 2 eggs is the normal number laid. Incubation period is approximately 27-28 days with both adults taking part. Chicks leave the nest at approximately 10 weeks old in the wild, (older in captivity) and there does not appear to be the same problem in the wild with rearing two chicks to fledging; as there is in captivity with only the one chick being the norm.

They are very long lived birds and the oldest recorded individual (which I know of) in captivity was apparently 125 years old at death.

Due to the size of this bird, extremely large and strong aviaries must be built to accommodate them. They should be housed in nothing less than a 30 foot long flight, with a width of 5 foot and if possible 8 foot high. Mesh should be 12g or 10g, either can be used depending on the mesh spacing. 

They are very destructive cockatoos so wooden framed aviaries are not suitable unless they are covered with metal, (unless you want to see your birds free flying).

Noise is also an important factor to consider, not suitable for those with close neighbours.

As there are not many people breeding from these cockatoos in the UK there are not too many hand reared young birds around. Which is a blessing. Although they are kept as pets fairly commonly in Australia and not in aviaries. 

They are very large, intelligent, demanding, noisy and destructive. Therefore not suitable for most households. Although as with all cockatoos they do have the 'aaahh' factor. Very appealing when seen in a shop/garden centre. Don't do it! Even if you could cope with one of these birds in your home, what about when you die? The bird should outlive you - is there someone who you know who would look after it when you have gone?

Should consist of a limited amount of good quality seed mix, with limited sunflower because of the high fat content. A large proportion of the diet should be fresh fruit and vegetables such as sweetcorn, carrot, pomegranate, broccoli, orange. Together with some form of protein such as cooked chicken. Soaked and sprouted seeds can also be offered particularly in the breeding season. We also feed limited amounts of walnuts, almonds and pecan nuts, cooked pasta and a rehydrated fruit and vegetable mix in addition to the fresh items.

If the birds cannot fly for whatever reason, the amount of fat in the diet should be very carefully monitored, as they will become obese fairly easily with lack of exercise causing major health problems and also infertility problems.

Since 1962 there has been a ban on the commercial exports of live fauna from Australia. This ban was incorporated into the Wildlife Protection (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1982. Allowing pet birds (up to a maximum of three) out of the country with their owners, except for budgies and cockatiels where number restrictions differ. There are also provisions under the 
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Act 1999 to allow strictly regulated specimens to be exported for sicentific, zoological or educational purposes.

Therefore the minimum number of live birds are actually exported from Australia and all are closely monitored. 

Because of the culling practices in Australia there are many who believe that the Australian authorities should allow the birds to be exported rather than cull them, thus reducing numbers, allowing other countries the option of keeping these birds, and making the authorities some profit.

However others feel that a lift on the export ban would only add to the problems most of Europe, Canada and the USA now have. With as it stands an already overwhelming number of unwanted hand reared ex pet cockatoos, living very sad lives. 

From a personal view point I cannot under any circumstances condone any culling of these beautiful birds, and many other species including Lories. 

Somewhere in the middle there has to be a solution.

Shooting cockatoos is not a new phenomenon. Click below to read the cynically true poem, circa 1933:

White Cockatoos