Citron-crested Cockatoo

• ExerciseHigh

  Needs hours of out-of-cage activity and mental challenges every day.

• GroomingRegular feather care

  Regular bathing or misting plus nail and beak checks.

• Living spaceStandard cage

  A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Owner experienceFor experienced owners

  Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• Commitment40–60 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Feather plucking · Respiratory issues · Obesity

The Citron-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata) occurs naturally only on Sumba in Indonesia and is a subspecies of the Yellow-crested Cockatoo, which is critically endangered; wild numbers have collapsed through habitat loss and trapping. Captive-bred birds are the only ethical source, and CITES Appendix I paperwork should accompany any legal bird. At 350 to 500 grams it is roughly half the weight of a Sulphur-crested, and both its voice and its needs scale down accordingly. It is still a cockatoo: loud at dawn and dusk, powerfully bonded to its keeper, and prone to screaming and feather destruction if left alone for long working days. But it is generally described as gentler and more manageable than the large white cockatoos, playful and affectionate without quite the overwhelming neediness of a Moluccan, and it can succeed in a house where a large cockatoo could not. Give it a large cage or aviary, several hours of interaction, plentiful destructible wood, and foraging puzzles rather than a bowl of food. Feed pellets with fresh vegetables and dark greens, with nuts and seed as small rewards, since cockatoos develop obesity and fatty liver disease readily. It produces powder down, so provide regular bathing and good ventilation. Avoid any cavity or dark box in the cage, which triggers hormonal nesting behaviour, keep daylight to about ten to twelve hours, and book an annual avian vet check with bloodwork.

• How much activity does a Citron-crested Cockatoo need?

  High. Needs hours of out-of-cage activity and mental challenges every day.

• How much feather care does a Citron-crested Cockatoo need?

  Regular feather care. Regular bathing or misting plus nail and beak checks.

• What cage does a Citron-crested Cockatoo need?

  Standard cage. A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Is a Citron-crested Cockatoo a good fit for first-time owners?

  For experienced owners. Rewards owners who know the ropes.

• How long do Citron-crested Cockatoo live?

  40–60 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Citron-crested Cockatoo?

  Keep an eye out for Feather plucking, Respiratory issues, Obesity. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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