Yellow-Crested Cockatoos:
Yellow-crested cockatoos in Hong Kong are losing natural nesting due to typhoons and tree trimming and conservationists installing artificial nest boxes that mimic natural nests of these birds.
- The Yellow-crested cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea) is a medium-sized cockatoo with a retractile yellow or orange crest.
- It usually has white plumage, and on its head is a yellow crest that curves forwards.
- This cockatoo inhabits forest, forest edge, scrub and cultivated areas from sea-level up to about 1500 meters.
- It is native to East Timor and Indonesia’s islands of Sulawesi and the Lesser Sundas. It is also introduced in Hong Kong developed from caged birds that have been released.
- It is an omnivorous feeder, with a diet that consists primarily of seeds, fruits, nuts, and berries. It is also known to feed on the occasional insect, small reptiles, and roots,
- They are monogamous birds, and pairs stay together for life.
- They are very gregarious animals and learn quickly to mimic.
- The main threats to the Yellow-crested cockatoo are illegal pet trade, habitat loss and climate change (rising temperatures dry out forests, leaving them more vulnerable to fires).
- Conservation Status: IUCN: Critically Endangered.
