They are a unique family of parrots. Studies show that they have an ancient ancestory. They have 72-80 chromosomes compared to 60-72 chromosomes of most other parrots. So this perhaps explaines the behavioural differences which are recognised in Cockatoos.

The beak of cockatoos are extrodinary powerful and can do an enormous amount of damage to furniture and people. And the Palm Cockatoo has the most powerful beak of all parrots even compared to a Hyacinthine Macaw.

Cheek feathers of cockatoos are also unusal. Cockatoos can move their cheek feathers to  partly to protect themselves in cold winds or rain. No other parrots can do this.

The feet, most large parrots are adept at using their feet as hands but Cockatoos also grasp objects rather than just hold them, making them able to reach out and pick up anything it desires. This is particular hazard as pet parrots as many owners find out to their cost.

Mimicry in Cockatoos is perhaps not so advance as with other large parrots. And talking ability is not regarded as being the best of the parrots and ironically probably the best talking member of the cockatoo family is the Cockatiel. But mimicry is not the same as intelligence.

Intelligence in cockatoos is probably the highest of the parrot family. Intelligence is defined as the ability of an animal to use it's powers of reason. Apart from ourselves there are very few animals with this ability. In captivity other parrots like some Amazons and Macaws can be seen to perhaps use twigs to play with. But no other parrots have been seen in the wild to use twigs as tools, except cockatoos which have been observed to use them for defence against predators or in the case of the Palm cockatoo for generating a display drumming sound.

Cacatua Often referred to as the white Cockatoos (although in the case of 2 species pink) . they vary in size from 12-19 inchs, the tail si square and rather short.

There are 4 subspecies living on the Islands to the west of Indonesia.Iris dark brown for cocks and red for hens.

1. Lesser Sulpher-creasted Cockatoo (cacatua sulphurea sulphurea) The nominate race found on the Islands of Sulawesi, Buton, Muna Tukangbesi, Djuadi, Kalao,Madu and Kalaotura.

2. Timor Cockatoo (cacatua sulphurea parvula) Similar to the nominate race but pale Yellow ear patch instead of bright yellow. Found on islands of Lombok to Timor and Samao, Noesa, Indonesia.

3. Abbott's Lesser Sulpher-creasted Cockatoo (cacatua sulphurea abbotti) With again the paler yellow ear patch but much larger than the nominate race.Found on the Islands of Solombo Besar and Indonesia.

4. Citron-creasted Cockatoo (cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata)  Identified by it's orange ear patch and crest feathers and larger than the nominate race.Found on Sumba Island and Indonesia.

Salmon-crested or Moluccan Cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis)

Perhaps the largest of the so called "white cockatoos" and probably one of the loudest and most powerful of the popular pet Cockatoos. It's feathers have a very attractive salmon pink underlying feathers. Inhabits the Islands of Ceram and Indonesia where it is now seriously under threat. Already exctinct on other nearby Islands. In collections found to be not to difficult to breed and normally lays 2 eggs. Should provide spacious aviary to allow escape of hen from aggresion of cock. It has been found that cocks are quite capable of killing hens in small enclosures.

Perhaps one of the most attractive cockatoos. Iris dark brown to black in the cocks and reddish in the hens. Pink of the underparts less apparent in the hens. Fairly common in Western Australia.

Seldom favoured as a pet, this cockatoo has a harsh voice and does not have a particularly endearing pet character.

Seemingly not so difficult to breed, but their high price and limited availability makes them relatively scare in collections.Clutch size 2-5 eggs and young in nest 8 weeks.

Galah, Roseate Cockatoo (Eolophus roseicapillas)

The most abundant Cockatoo has a wide range over most of Australia. Although said that they can be sexed by eye colour (red iris for hens and brown for cocks), it is not entirely reliable and cocks have been DNA sexed with red iris. Mutations are unusual for cockatoos except in Cockatiels and Galah cockatoos.  

In character many of these Cockatoos make good pets, bolder and less nervous than Indonesian Cockatoos. They tend to be perhaps more independant in nature than the white cockatoos.

Breeding these Cockatoos is not difficult but they are susceptible to fatty lipomas when fed on a high fat diet.Generally it is rare for male and female to show accute aggresion except on rare occasions. Clutch size is 3-6 and young are in nest for about 7 weeks.

Other Cockatoos

There are a number of lesser known cockatoo species: Calyptothynchus (Black cockatoos), Callocephalon (Gang Gang) and Probosciger (Palm Cockatoo). These are rarely kept in collections.

Black cockatoos

Glossy ( Calyptorhynchus lathami)

Originates from Eastern Australia. About 19 inches, the cock having scarlet tail band and the hen having a red and yellow tail band.The hen also has varying amounts of yellow feathering on the head (but not always). Although they are rarely kept in captivity, these cockatoos are said to have an extraordinary good nature and intelligence as hand reared parrots. There can be a as much as several weeks between the laying of the two eggs, and the chicks have a particularly long yellow down. This species particularly feeds on cones from the casuarina trees.

Banksian or Red-tailed Black cockatoo (calyptorhynchus banksii)

Originate from North, Western, Central and Eastern Australia. There are 5 subspecies recognised and other local variations have been observed but not formerly classified. About 24-25 inches long, these black parrots have a dense black wide crest. The cock having a broad scarlet tail band and the hen has underside of the tail barred with yellow, orange yellow or perhaps orange. They are only occasionally kept in captivity, but have a pleasing nature if kept as pets. Clutch size 1 or occasionally 2. Diet is less specialised than the other black cockatoos, but in most areas Eucalypyus seeds form a stable part of their diet. Like the Glossy cockatoo chicks are hatched with a thick hairy yellow down.

Northern Yellow-tailed or Funereal Cockatoo (calyptorhynchus funerous)

Originate from Queensland, New South Wales and Eastern Victoria. Like the Glossy cockatoo the Yellow-tailed does not have a substantial crest. Length about 26 inches. Cocks have yellow frecked tail feathers, but the hens more so. Said to be particularly difficult to breed, this black cockatoo is less successful in captivity.

Southern Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo (calyptorhynchus xanthanotus)

Generally regarded as a subspecies of the Funereal cockatoo, it is shorter in the body and so gives the appearance of a being longer tailed.

White-tailed black or Carnaby's Cockatoo (calyptorhynchus latirostris)

Originate south west Australia. This cockatoo has a dense black but short crest. Ear coverts grey white in the cock and bright white in the hen. Length 26 inches. This cockatoo is very rarely kept in collections and never as pets. It is said to be unsuitable to be kept in close confinement.

Baudins White-tailed black cockatoo (calyptorhynchus baudinii)

A sub-specie of the White tailed cockatoo by physical differences in beak size (shorter)

Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus)

This is a very distinctive black cockatoo with red cheeks.There are 3 subspecies living on the Aru, Southern New Guinea and Cape peninsula in northern Australia.

Above photos (left to right): Leadbeaters (Major Mitchells), Bare-eyed, Moluccans, Palm, Roseate (Galah) and Lesser Sulphur-creasted Cockatoos.

Specialist Cockatoo breeders:

http://www.majormitchellcockatoo.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1&Itemid=2