Sulphur Crested Cockatoos are attractive and entertaining pets.  They love being with their owners and hate being excluded from family activities.

Famous for their devotion, they are also very intelligent and easily taught tricks. They are frequently the stars of trained bird acts. The most famous of the Sulphurs was the Triton Cockatoo “Fred” who starred in the 1970’s TV show Berretta. All Sulphurs have crests, which turn up at the end when at rest, and display beautiful yellow or orange feathers when it is raised. Talking ability ranges from poor to excellent, depending upon the individual. But talking or not, like all Cockatoos, Sulphurs are nevertheless endearing to their families.

The largest described here, Galarita, is found only in Australia, which imposed strict export laws in the early 1970’s. Our Galarita babies are descended from the very few parent birds which were imported some 30 year ago. In this case and others, the lack of available parent stock causes some species to be especially rare in the U.S. and therefore rather expensive.

Sulphur Crested Cockatoos are divided into two broad classifications; Greater and Lesser. Of the four subspecies of Greater Sulphur Crested Cockatoos; Galarita, Triton and Eleonora can be found as pets in the United States. We divide Lesser Sulphurs into Citron Crested and Lesser Sulphur Crested, although these classifications may be too narrow to describe all of the Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoos.

The Galarita is seen the least in captivity. It is the largest of the Sulphurs standing as tall as the 20” Moluccan when reaching full size at 3 years of age. It is a rather slender bird, mainly white with a large, lemon yellow crest. The bare eye ring is white in color. There is a slight yellow tinge to the feathers over the ear and there is bright yellow on the underside of the wings and tail. Beak and feet are grayish-black.

Although slightly smaller than the Galarita, the Triton is a stunning looking bird. Overall color is similar, but the Triton’s head is larger and its’ eye ring is an intense blue. Although wonderful pets, they like to vocalize, which should be considered.

Most stories you've heard about Sulphur Crested Cockatoos are about Eleonoras. Imported in large numbers in the 1970’s and ‘80’s in response to demand created by the television show Beretta, most lived up to this case of “mistaken species identification” and became outstanding pets.

Thousands of Lessers were imported in the 1980’s. These shy and nervous wild caught birds did not make especially good pets. Aviaries anxious to set-up pairs of Cockatoos for breeding programs, concentrated on Moluccans and Umbrellas, leaving the Lesser nearly forgotten! Fortunately, some pairs found their way into breeding situations, proving to be prolific and excellent parents. 

Lessers range in size form 12 to 15 inches, with males generally being the larger bird, although size variations may represent different subspecies. Lessers are white with ear cover feathers marked by yellow patches and bright yellow on the underside of the wing and tail feathers. Some have a light yellow wash over the face and head. All have sunny yellow crests, except for the subspecies Citron which sports an orange crest.

At first glance, the Umbrella appears to be a solid white bird, lending its alternate name “White Cockatoo.” The 18” Umbrella also has yellow feathers under its wings and tail, and a bare ring around the eye which may be white or slightly bluish in color. They have a large white crest which usually lays flat “recumbent” against the head. When the crest is raised it resembles an opened, inverted umbrella.

Ideal for someone who wants to handle their bird—a lot, “Umbies” love being with people. This can lead to them wanting to be held and cuddled all the time. To keep the bird from desiring to be with you every minute of the day, develop a routine early on that includes strict cage time, out time, handle time and play alone time. Develop a routine early and you will have a loving companion you will enjoy for life.

This impressive 20” bird comes from the Molucca Islands where inhabitants are called (Mo-loo’-cans). The Moluccan is large with a light pink upper body color and yellow under the wings and tail. The huge recumbent crest lies flat and unseen on top of the head until raised. When raised, spectacular bright salmon pink feathers are displayed, thus the alternate name; “Salmon Crested Cockatoo.”

The Goffin's is the smallest of the Cockatoos kept as pets at just 12” to 13” from head to tail. The primary body color is white with bright pink markings on the face and a faint pink cast overall. There is yellow under the wings and tail. They have a small crest which is barely discernable when at rest.

During the years of parrot importation, thousands of these small Cockatoos entered our Country each year. These imported birds were usually all adults who were very shy, rarely tame and never talked. Because of this, these imported Goffin’s rarely became good pets. Fortunately, many of the imports found their way into breeder’s aviaries where they proved to be excellent parents.

The Ducorp's is a newcomer to American parrot ownership, but is quickly gaining popularity. It’s reputation so far is excellent. Ducorp’s resemble a white Goffin’s, with some pink coloration at the base of the neck feathers. Overall size is between that of a Goffin’s and an Umbrella. They have a dark blue eye ring and some yellow under the wings and tail.

To the Austrialians they are common Galahs, but to American’s they are rare and valuable Rosies. Considered a pest in their native homeland, where they seem as common as our house sparrow, many wild Rosies spend their day trying to outsmart farmers who must in turn spend part of their day working to outsmart Rosies. No grain bag or grain storage container remains “Rose Breasted proof” for long.

The small beautiful Rose Breasted is just slightly larger the Goffin’s. The top of the head, neck, wings, back and tail are light ash gray. The chest, abdomen, and underparts are all a beautiful rose pink.

Rose Breasteds are very smart, quickly training their owners to give them attention. Always very happy, they occasionally do an excited dance on the cage floor which can frighten their owners into thinking they are ill. They will stomp their feet, flap their wings and spin in a circle; all the while emitting an excited call.

Unlike most other parrot species, wild Rosies feed on the ground. Comfortable even on the floor of your home, you’ll find your shoe laces are no longer safe with a happy, playful Rosie in the house.

Back to Top

When you meet a Bare Eyed for the first time, you will believe that it is a Goffin’s that has something wrong with its eyes. This bird’s distinctive feature is a large irregular bare blue patch around and below the eyes. At maturity the bare patches swell, giving the bird a comical, cartoonish appearance. These eye rings may remind you of a person with puffy eyes.