Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

_{Reference: Simpson & Day Field Guide to the Birds of Australia (8th Edition)}

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_{The two on each end are juveniles and you can see they still have some ruffled feathers around their neck.}

The title question, 'What Bird is That?' is obviously a common question among bird watchers but also the first one asked in my field guide followed by information regarding 'how to observe a bird' with diagrams showing the 'different parts of a bird' and a short section explaining 'how to use this book'.

For my first (BW) post, I've included a brief outline of the steps I followed to identify the birds however I won't need to repeat this information in later posts as it will be the same process each time.

Of course, it goes without saying that all posts will include photographs of the birds featured, as well as any important and/or interesting facts that I learn along the way.

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_{Oops, too close... and up goes the crest!}

Step 1: Identify the family group using the 'Key to Families'

Fortunately, for this step, I already knew what I was looking for and being Australian based, how could I not start off the series with, probably the most recognised icon of Australia, the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.

Family: Cockatoos Family Cacatuidae

Medium to large parrots with powerful hooked bills, erectile crests and orbital ring. Plumages vary: Black to White. Often raucous voices. Feeds on roots, seeds and blossoms; some eat insects. Two toes forward, two back (like parrots). Fly strongly. Cockatiel is a true cockatoo.

Personally, I didn't realise there was so much to notice about birds until right now...!

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_{Not the best quality photo, but it was too cute to leave out. I love the framing provided by the trees in the background}

Step 2: Moving to the corresponding pages in the 'Field Guide', use the colour illustrations (showing a common example of a male, female and sometimes a juvenile) to find your bird.

The name beside the illustration refers you to the text with all the field information for the species. Last of all, by checking the map provided you can make sure the bird you have seen is likely to be found in the area.

If everything checks out with what you have seen, the book advises that 'you have probably identified your bird'.

Species: Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita

Locally abundant; common
Nomadic (uncertain); Sedentary

Flocks feed on ground. White; distinctive in flight: uneven wing-beat (flap, flap, glide) on stiff, broad, rounded wings. Erectile, forward-curving sulphur crest. Underwing, undertail, washed yellow: Size 48 - 55 cm. Voice Extremely raucous screech; single squawk in flight. Hab. Many, varied vegetation types.

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Personal Observation

This particular 'family' group of Cockatoos reside in my local area and consist of several adults and as you can see from the photographs, they have a healthy brood of juveniles in tow. While taking these photos, the adults were up the hill and just out of frame but still keeping a very close eye on my movements. I was also aware that there were several more adults sitting high above in the trees, no doubt keeping an birds-eye watch for any approaching danger.

It was late afternoon when I took my photos and the cockatoos were ground feeding (as described above). They are known to co-exist in rather large flocks and it's quite a spectacular sight to see a large flock of cockatoos on the ground when suddenly alerted to danger by a single squawk, simultaneously take flight and explode into a sky scattered with synchronised flashes of brilliant white and yellow.

Speaking of the brilliant white plumage, something that never ceases to amaze me with animals in the wild, particularly when referring to white animals, is their ability to remain so pristine. I don't know about you but white clothes don't agree with my lifestyle and I gave up wearing white years ago, so perhaps you might understand why I find this so fascinating.

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These birds are commanding in size but they are also very playful and cheeky with huge personalities which makes them very popular as pets. They will mimic human speech with training or even just long enough exposure to a repeated phrase.

In fact, my grandfather kept one for many years, his name was 'Cocky' of course. We adopted him when my Pop passed away and years later, I swear I could hear my grandfather voice in the cockatoo's chatter. He seemed to be mumbling under his breath and interestingly, mumbling was something my Pop was known for.

Cockatoos are known to have a life expectancy of 60 - 70 years, however it is suspected that in the right conditions, they may in fact, live for much longer.

All in all, I believe the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is a magnificent bird and more than worthy of being considered as 'one of Australia's Most-Recognised Icons'.

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