Citron Crested cockatoos (Cacatua Sulphurea Citrinocristata) are adorable small parrots. They are native to Indonesia, and they live on the Sumba Island of Indonesia. They are the smallest subspecies of yellow Crested Cockatoos.
These parrots have a unique color compared to others, and they have orange crests and patches instead of yellow. They are incredibly Humble and affectionate parrots, and they are very attached to their owners. Sometimes they get over-possessed and become nippy.
They are less skilled as compared to Sulphur Crested Cockatoos. They can learn a few words, but they can perform many tricks. These parrots are rarely found, so they are expensive too. Citron Crested Cockatoos are distinguished easily through their orange-tinged patches; their appearance, breeding, size, behavior, lifespan, etc., will be discussed in detail in this article.
Citron-Crested Cockatoo:
Citron Crested Cockatoo has many names, and they are also known as Sumba Cockatoo because they live on Sumba Island. Among various subspecies of Yellow Crested Cockatoos, Citron crested cockatoo have a different color appearance.
They usually behave in a gentle way and are very playful, and they can perform many tricks. They like to interact with their owners and require lots of human attention. If these parrots are ignored, they make weird loud noises and become annoyed.
They are intelligent in playing tricks, but they are less skilled in mimicking vocals. They can quickly pick signals and are easily tamed after training. They can learn a few words because they have a short memory for vocabulary.
Scientific Name of Citron-Crested Cockatoo:
- Common Name: Citron Crested Cockatoo
- Second Name: Sumba Cockatoo
- Scientific Name: Cacatua Sulphurea Citrinocristata
- Order: Psittaciformes
- Class: Aves
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Genes: Cacatua
- Species: C.Sulphurea
- Phylum: Chordata
- Family: Cacatuidae
- Subspecies: C.S Citrinocristata
Scientists and Biologists give scientific names to classify their class/family for better understanding and research purposes. Similarly, Cacatua Sulphurea Citrinocristata has been given to Citron Crested Cockatoo.
Its name “Cacatua” comes from its genus, which includes a range of medium to large parrots of the family Cacatuidae and is native to Australia.
Its name “Sulphurea” is given because of the yellow-orange patches on it. These two words together make its binomial name Cacatua Sulphurea.
How Does a Citron-Crested Cockatoo Look?
Citron-Crested Cockatoos are Medium-sized white parrots. Their size is about 30 to 32.5cm (12 to 13 inches), and they weigh about 380 grams (13 ounces). These parrots have attractive white Plumage and prominent broad Orange crests on the top of their head.
They are smaller than Greater sulphur Crested Cockatoo but have broader crest feathers. They have a pale orange ear patch; the underside of their wings and tails are tinged with orange feathers. These parrots have dark black beaks and greyish-black feet and claws that are very strong and help them create a balance.
The color of their eyelids is very light blue. They are also known as Sumba Cockatoos; their beautiful white feathered body with orange tones makes them different from other subspecies of Yellow-Crested Cockatoos.
Difference Between Male and Female Citron-crested cockatoo:
Male and Female Citron-Crested Cockatoos are look similar to each other. They have a slight difference in their eyes only. The female Cockatoo has Coppered colored eyes, and Male Cockatoo has Dark Black eyes.
Baby Citron-Crested Cockatoo:
The Baby Citron Cockatoos are also identical to their parrots, but the observed differences are that their beaks are in lighter color until seven months of their age. Their eyes are also Pale Grey in color, which changes later, according to their gender.
Vocals of Citron-Crested Cockatoo:
Citron-Crested Cockatoos are loud screechers, and they make loud growling noises. This can lead to startling shrieks if they need attention; they also growl when they feel danger around them. They are also adaptive to the environment, and if you speak louder or place them in noisy places, they will become noisy.
Their loud screeches can be controlled by training. If you keep them in calm places and speak gently, they will become the same. They make different sounds to express different emotions. If they are sad or frightened, they make harsh and shrill sounds. When they see their caretaker, they make pleasant voices out of happiness. Their loud calls can be avoided through training and proper attention.
Size of a Citron-Crested Cockatoo:
Both Male and Female Citron-Crested Cockatoos are Medium-sized white parrots. Their size is about 30 to 32.5cm (12 to 13 inches). Anyone can play with them in their hands, and they are easy to handle. They weigh about 380 grams (13 ounces). Being lightly weighted, they are easy to hold and carry. It means you. The sizeWildWildby Citron-Crested Cockatoo is 3-4 inches.
Where Do Citron-Crested Cockatoo Live?
The citron-crested cockatoo is a native of Sumba Island in Indonesia. They are inhabitants of forests, which include evergreen, tropical forests, rainforest, forest edge, and scrub. They enjoy open and green, vegetated areas. They prefer to live in tall trees and green places which are close to watercourses.
If you place them at home choose a peaceful place and keep some fresh and green plants around them. If they have bigger cages, you can place small plants inside as well. Provide them vertical bars in the cage because they like to hang and play on the bars.
What Do Citron-Crested Cockatoos Eat?
In the Wild, they eat a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. They eat herbs, Fresh Fruits, pulp, nuts, seeds, vegetables, wheat grains, and insects. Fruits provide them vitamins, and insects provide them necessary proteins required as per their diet requirement.
They really like to eat Berries and Nuts. Naturally, their beaks are strong enough to crack and crush the nuts and seeds.
In Captivity, You can feed them fruits without seeds, fruit pulp, vegetables, pellets. To add taste and flavor to their food, you can give them steamed vegetable or peanut butter coated seeds. They really like daily food pellets and parrot mixes.
To take care of their daily nourishment and protein portion is very necessary. In forests, they naturally eat what their body requires; in homes, they are served by a caretaker, so one should be careful while serving to prevent any hormonal disturbances.
These parrots are fond of colorful food, and you can mix fruits and vegetables to make their food colorful. Giving them good and fresh vegetables will help you to establish a strong bond with them.
Breeding Behavior of Citron-Crested Cockatoo:
During the breeding season, Male Citron-Crested Cockatoos become aggressive and often attack female parrots. Sometimes they bite their cheeks, flap their wings, and bite on their legs. There must be separate wooden Boxes for males and females that females should escape in the other box in case of an attack.
This aggression in male parrots is basically because of Hormonal Changes. In contrast to that, Female parrots seem broody and in a normal mood. They make their nests in cavities of trees, and they fill their nests with leaves.
The Breeding Season of citron-crested cockatoos normally starts in winters to spring. Breeding age can start from 2 years but usually takes 5 to 6 years. Male and Female, both contribute to the incubation of eggs.
The average clutch size of the Citron-Crested Cockatoo is about two to three eggs. The female parrot incubates the egg for 25 to 30 days, and the chick flees 60 to 100 days after hatching. During the breeding season, their behavior becomes quite excited and aggressive.
Like other Cockatoos, they bred well in Captivity. They live with very loud calls, which can create problems for the neighbors in Captivity. But in the wild, they freely make loud calls with exciting tones.
The lifeSpan of Citron-Crested Cockatoo:
In the Wild, it is observed that Citron-Crested Cockatoos can live up to 40-50 years. Climate change, hunger, and animal attack are potential reasons for their shorter lifespan in the wild environment.
In Captivity, these small parrots require a lot of attention and care. If properly looked after, their life span could be 50 to 60 years. In ideal circumstances, they can reach this limit of their lifespan. While in Captivity, they get better care and in case of any issue, they get to see a veterinary doctor, which enhances their lifespan.
Citron-Crested Cockatoo Population:
The population trend of Citron-crested Cockatoos appears to be decreasing since the 190s. According to research, in 1993, it is estimated that their numbers were less than 2,000. They faced a lot of issues that led them to continuous endangerment. In the survey of 2012, their population was about 563 in numbers, and their current population is between 500 to 600. Scientists are working on their protection programs.
Conservation Status of Citron-Crested cockatoo:
According to IUCN, It has been declared a Critically Endangered species. The reason for the reduction in its population is human activities in forests, i.e., deforestation. Human involvement in forests has destroyed their natural habitat.
They use the woods from trees and clear the lands for the grazing purpose of livestock. The cutting of trees has left them with a shortage of food and no space to live. Moreover, Illegal Pet Trading and Hunting of these birds has led to a reduction in their population.
Factors of Endangerment of Citron-Crested Cockatoo:
Destruction of their natural habitat i.e., deforestation, Hunting, Shortage of Food, Illegal Pet Trading are the major threats to this species. While considering natural threats, climate change, global warming, and forest fires are threats to these parrots.
How Much a Citron-Crested Cockatoo Cost?
The cost of Citron-Crested Cockatoos lies somewhere between $3000 to $4000. However, because of its rarity, it can cost even more. The cost of an adult Triton Cockatoo is $3000, and the cost of a tamed adult is 4,500.
These parrots have less cost than sulfur-crested and have almost similar qualities. The cost of a hand-feed is $1500, and a self-feeding baby cockatoo’s cost is 2,250. These parrots are also large and cute parrots. These are other types of Sulphur Crested Cockatoo.
The cost may vary according to government taxes, endangered species duty, exchange rate, age of parrot, and delivery cost.
Citron-Crested Cockatoo As A Pet
Citron Cockatoos are quieter parrots in nature, and they become sad when they are alone. Their behavior with their caretakers, which has been observed, was very brilliant. They really want to be with their owners and caretakers all day long.
They are incredibly loving and affectionate parrots, and they are always in the mood to interact with their human fellows. These parrots have big and beautiful personalities. Citron-crested Cockatoos are very friendly and innocent pets.
They get attached to their owners if provided proper attention and care. They are quiet and do not make noises. These adorable pets can bring beauty to your home. They can be a partner in your loneliness. Serving a pet can add happiness and flavors to your life.
They naturally have a habit of cleaning and wash their feathers. It is better to provide water in a small tub or bowl for them to play and wash their feather dust off. It is one of the best hobbies to adapt. Playing and talking to your pet can cheer you up and vanquish your sadness.
Other Similar Species of Citron-Crested cockatoos:
Few similar species of Citron-Crested Cockatoos belong to the same family. They have similar traits or characters. Few resemble in features and appearances as well, while others resemble their habits.
- Bare-Eyed Cockatoo
- Black Palm Cockatoo
- Citron Cockatoo
- Sulphur-Crested Cockatoo
- Goffin’s Cockatoo
- Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo
- Moluccan Cockatoo
- Rose-Breasted Cockatoo
Conclusion:
Citron-Crested Cockatoos are very gentle parrots, and they can be your great partners. To say that they are expensive parrots without being familiar with their characteristics would be unfair. They are outstanding entertainers and noisy too. However, it is not a waste of money to own these parrots.
As it is mentioned above, they can live for 50-60 years. They are attention seekers, and they must be handled and trained properly. Otherwise, they can get into depression which can reduce their lifespan.
Also Read About: Lesser Vs. Medium Vs. Greater Sulphur Crested Cockatoo; What’s The Difference?
