The Umbrella Cockatoo, Cacatua alba, of Indonesia at first appears to be a solid white parrot with
brown eyes. If it is surprised, it extends a large and striking crest, which has a semicircular shape
(similar to an umbrella, hence the name.) The crest is normally recumbent. It also has bright yellow
feathers underneath its wings which flash when they fly.
This bird is classified as vulnerable due to illegal trapping for the cage-bird trade.
Unfortunately as they can live up to, and perhaps beyond, 80 years in age, are very social, needing a
lot of interaction, and are VERY loud (their calls can be heard up to three miles away), most of the
birds taken as pets end up struggling to live and are often forced to jump from one owner to the next.
They are good pets, as they are friendly and sociable and do not often attach to only one human the
way many amazon parrots or African Grey parrots will.
Umbrella or White Cockatoo
Description:
White; broad crest; underside of tail feathers and wings with yellowish base; bill blackish-horn
colour, periophthalmic ring with faint bluish tinge; iris blackish; feet dark grey.
Female with reddish-brown iris; usually smaller head and bill.
Immatures as adults; young females usually identifiable at one year by greyish brown iris; colour
change completed at four years.
Length: 45 cm (18 ins)
Native Distribution:
Halmahera Batjan and Obi, Indonesia; formerly also on Ternate and Tidore.
Native Habitat:
The forest, open woodland, cleared areas with isolated trees, tall secondary vegetation, mangroves
and swamps.
Their Status:
no dense populations, vulnerable: numbers reduced by habitat loss and trapping for trade.
Bird Habits:
They're seen mostly in pairs or small groups of 3 to 10 birds; gatherings of up to 50 birds on roosting
trees; prefers tall trees; there conspicuous and easy to see; can be heard from afar; usually cautious
and unapproachable. Powerful flight swift and direct; accompanied by continuous screeching.
Natural diet:
seeds, fruits berries, nuts and probably insects and their larvae.
Natural Breeding behaviour:
Their breeding period probably from December to March; author observed brooding female in nest
in January; located on edge of field track in palm stump at height of 6 m (20 ft); male sat on stump
and warned female; as soon as stump was approached female looked out, then flew away with
partner; no further information available; egg measures 40.8 x 30.8 mm (1.60 x 1.21 ins).
In Agriculture:
Somewhat noisy cockatoo with pleasing nature; initially shy; remains reserved in large aviary, but
soon becomes confiding if kept in smaller aviary or cage; hard chewer; many birds regularly destroy
wooden parts of aviary or cage with Powerful bill; thin mesh also bitten; therefore provide wood for
chewing; fresh branches often ignored, but rotten wood and boards thoroughly chewed; peaceable
only outside breeding period; then will even attempt to attack birds in adjoining aviaries by biting off
toes; can be avoided by double wiring; uncomplicated and unsusceptible once acclimatised.
Diet in Captivity:
Quality seed mix of safflower, sunflower, oats, wheat and small seeds; also provide sprouted; milet
spray; rowan berries; half-ripe maize; rose-hips; various fruit and vegetables; green food; often very
selective in feeding and notoriously reluctant to accept fruit, vegetables and different seed; therefore
requires regular mineral supplements and vitamins.
