Parrotmaniac

Sulphur-crested cockatoos are among the most intelligent and charismatic parrots you can welcome into your home. With their iconic yellow crests, playful personalities, and loud vocalizations, they’re as entertaining as they are demanding.

Here are a few of the most common types of cockatoos with “sunflower” (sulphur) crests, and some essential tips on how to care for them.

🕊️ 1. Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)

Origin: Northern and eastern Australia, Papua New Guinea
Size: ~50 cm (20 in)
Traits: Loud, extremely intelligent, social
Lifespan: 60+ years (some live over 80!)

This is the most well-known sulphur-crested cockatoo. It’s large, bold, and loves to interact. Their need for attention is high — without daily socialization, they may scream or pluck feathers.

✅ Care Tip: These birds need at least 4–6 hours of interaction per day. Foraging toys and daily out-of-cage time are essential.

🕊️ 2. Eleonora Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita eleonora)

Origin: Aru Islands (Indonesia)
Size: Slightly smaller than the Greater SC Cockatoo (~46 cm / 18 in)
Traits: Gentler disposition, slightly quieter
Lifespan: 50+ years

The Eleonora is a subspecies of the Greater Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, with a more refined beak and less pronounced eye ridges. It’s often preferred as a companion due to its slightly calmer demeanor.

✅ Care Tip: Ideal for experienced bird keepers who want a less aggressive variant of the larger sulphur-crests.

🕊️ 3. Medium Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea)

Also known as: Lesser Sulphur-crested Cockatoo or Yellow-crested Cockatoo
Origin: Indonesia (Bali, Sulawesi, Timor)
Size: ~35 cm (14 in)
Traits: Energetic, talkative, endangered in the wild
Lifespan: 40–60 years

Smaller and more agile, this species has a distinctive, smaller yellow crest. They’re listed as critically endangered in the wild, which makes captive-bred individuals especially precious.

✅ Care Tip: Needs a secure environment and social stimulation. Smaller doesn’t mean lower maintenance!

General Care Tips for Sulphur-crested Cockatoos

🦜 Diet: High-quality pellet mix, supplemented with fresh fruits, vegetables, and occasional seeds. Avoid avocado, chocolate, and caffeine.

🦜 Housing: Spacious cage (at least 36″x36″x48″), strong enough to withstand beak strength. Offer safe perches, chewable toys, and room to climb.

🦜 Mental stimulation: Extremely intelligent birds need puzzles, music, training, and enrichment to stay happy.

🦜 Noise: Expect loud screeches, especially at dawn and dusk. Not suitable for apartments or noise-sensitive households.

🦜 Veterinary care: Regular avian vet visits, especially since cockatoos are prone to psittacine beak and feather disease (PBFD) and respiratory issues.

Is a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Right for You?

These birds are not for the faint-hearted. They demand time, patience, and lifelong commitment — but in return, you’ll have a loyal and hilarious companion that will share your life for decades.

If you’re considering adding a sulphur-crested cockatoo to your home, research deeply, talk to breeders or rescue centers, and make sure you’re truly ready for the responsibility.