The Lesser Sulphur Crested or Yellow Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea). Originating from the Indonesian islands. Not as often mistakenly classified as Australian, (as is the Greater Sulphur Crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita galerita). It is now listed as a CITES Appendix 1 (critically endangered) species.

Also from Indonesia and New Guinea are the Eleonoras Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita eleonora) known as the 'medium sulphur crested' and the Triton Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita triton). All very similar, but differentiate mainly in size and slight colour variation.

Sub species Abbotti is NOT a MEDIUM SULPHUR CRESTED. Also spellings such as 'Lesser Sulfer', 'Lessur Sulpher' and 'Lesser Sulpher' are incorrect. We note from one American pet site (15 April 2006) they state the Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo actually originates from Australia and Singapore and possibly from Indonesia! Obviously these people have not got the foggiest idea what they are talking about.but unfortunately there is no control over what is posted on the net.

The Citron Crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea citrinocristata) from the Indonesian island of Sumba is (one of) the sub species of the Lesser Sulphur Crested. Differing in the colouration on the ear coverts and the crest, these being orange on the Citron Crested, also they are usually slightly larger. The other sub species of the Lesser Sulphur Crested do differ in size and colour, but all have variations of yellow on the ear coverts and crest. 

Lesser Sulphur Crested

sub species:

c s sulphurea
c s parvula
c s abbotti
c s citrinocristata

Visit: Citron Crested Cockatoos

Two other separate sub species have also been listed in different publications. These being:

c s djampnea from Tanahjampea on Sulawesi and 
c s occidentalis from Flores and Lombok. 

However these two sub species have not been officially recorded as they were described as having variations in beak size only, and variations of this nature do occur naturally in these birds.

Therefore only 4 sub species are officially recorded.

Description

The Lesser Sulphur Crested are 12-13 inches approximately. Size variation does occur due to hybridisation of the sub species in aviculture, which unfortunately has happened quite a lot.

VIsit: Photo Gallery

They are predominantly white with yellow under the flight feathers and tail and a yellow curved crest, which they raise when alarmed or excited. The beak is black with the eyes being almost black in the male and reddish brown in the female, this only becoming apparent as they begin to mature at about 2-3 years old. This difference in the eye colour IS NOT 100% apparent at one year old. The feet are black

Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo female (note the eye colour)

These cockatoos are from October 2004 listed as CITES Appendix 1, critically endangered.

They are further detailed on the IUCN Red List categorised as 'critically endangered'.

There is great concern over the status of this species in the wild, again mainly due to unsustainable trapping for the pet trade and secondly due to habitat loss by large scale logging of the forests.

Their numbers now in the wild are estimated at between 2,500 - 10,000 (Birdlife Int).

They are too rare to be pets, and any birds bred should if at all possible, be left to be parent reared.

  
The appropriate CITES papers (Article 10 certificates) are a necessary legal requirement when buying or selling these birds.

These cockatoos do have very strong beaks and tend to chew a lot. If kept in an aviary the wire must be of sufficient strength to withstand this or they will chew their way out within a matter of days or even hours. 

As far as pet potential is concerned, taking into account the above facts that they are critically endangered in their natural environment; if you do purchase a Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo as a pet, they can make good pets if acquired at a young age and can be very affectionate.

However, contrary to a sweeping statement on another web site that they are less 'clingy' than some of the other cockatoo species, they are actually extremely 'clingy', and very demanding of your time (as are most cockatoos), great care and consideration must always be given before purchasing one of these birds.

They are also very sensitive and intelligent; to purchase a youngster and pass it on after a few months or years will traumatise the bird to such an extent that it may become useless as a future pet. Neither do these cockatoos which have been pets make good breeding birds. They can be extremely aggressive with a potential mate inflicting serious damage and causing death.

Our adult pairs have produced young Lesser Sulphur Crested for many years and we find that the birds which are hand reared can make good pets, but finding good homes for them is another matter. Too many people think they want a cockatoo until they actually have one. They are wonderful birds, but not for everyone. Please think more than twice before commiting yourself and the cockatoo.

  
We do where possible leave these birds to parent rear their own young, but due to the exciteable nature of this bird it does at times cause heartache. With young either killed in the nest or not fed and deserted. Generally speaking parent reared birds themselves will rear their own young, whilst some birds which have been either hand reared or are ex pets will not.

Their diet consists of plenty of fresh vegetables with a high portion of sweetcorn (or maize) and fruit if they will eat it. Many cockatoos however will not tolerate fruit. Together with a small amount of good quality seed mix and millet sprays, walnuts and protein such as boiled egg, hard cheese or cooked chicken.

If they are pets they should have a large cage with plenty of toys and chewable material to keep them occupied, plus lots of freedom to fly and lots of love and affection.

Also be aware that any veterinary surgeon you visit MUST be carefully chosen.

Please read this link for information (Avian Vets)

Likewise, if aviary birds they should have plenty of space to fly and exercise.

They SHOULD NOT BE KEPT in small quarters or suspended aviaries, minimum flight length should be 15ft.

WIld Caught Yellow Crested Cockatoo

photo right:

Yellow Crested Cockatoo released at Adat Cerremony in Indonesia. This bird had been originally wild caught and an attempt to release the bird back into the wild was made.

Unfortunately as the bird had been in captivity for some months, it was unable to fly strongly enough to survive, and it was re-captured.

Note the sad eyes and dirty plumage.

A donation of £4,000 was sent from the conservation fund of the PSUK to Colin Trainor/BirdLife International Asia Programme. This is to help fund further research on East Timor. To study populations, preferred habitat, available habitat, numbers trapped etc, of the Yellow Crested Cockatoo (Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo)

East Timor (Timor Leste) gained independence from Indonesia in 2002, after many years of civil unrest. Thought in part, to be possibly due to the independence of this new country; populations of the Yellow Crested Cockatoo have recently been spotted on East Timor. This island was previously thought to have been devoid of these cockatoos, mainly due to unsustainable trapping for the pet trade and deforestation. So this is good news.

Very few patches of East Timor's globally threatened tropical forests remain, and the largest remaining block of land of approximately 300 square kilometres, is now being established as a National Park.

With thanks to Coin Trainor Birdlife International Asia Programme.

 

The photo above is a Yellow Crested Cockatoo photographed at Los Palos Market, East Timor (2002). Sadly chained up and for sale @ $US15 or £7.87.