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General Information
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Common Names: White Cockatoo, Umbrella Cockatoo
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Scientific Name: Cacatua alba
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Family: Cacatuidae
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Origin: Endemic to the islands of North Maluku, Indonesia (Halmahera, Bacan, Ternate, Tidore, Kasiruta, and Mandiole Islands)
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Conservation Status: Endangered (IUCN) due to habitat loss and illegal pet trade
🔹 Physical Description
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Size: 18 inches (46 cm) long
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Weight: 500–800 g (1.1–1.7 lbs)
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Wingspan: About 24–28 inches (60–70 cm)
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Lifespan: 40–60 years in the wild; up to 70–80 years in captivity
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Plumage:
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Entirely white body and wings
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Underside of wings and tail feathers have a soft yellow wash
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Crest: Large backward-curving crest; when raised, forms a “umbrella” shape (hence the name)
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Beak: Large, strong, black-grey in color
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Eyes:
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Dark brown/black in males
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Reddish-brown in females (a subtle difference used for sexing)
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🔹 Temperament & Behavior
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Intelligence: Very smart, capable of learning words, tricks, and problem-solving
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Personality: Affectionate, cuddly, social, and people-oriented
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Vocalization: Loud and piercing calls; can mimic human words but are not the best talkers compared to macaws or African Greys
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Social Needs: Extremely high; can become clingy and develop separation anxiety if left alone too long
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Activity Level: Very playful and curious; need plenty of interaction and stimulation
🔹 Diet
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Staple: High-quality formulated pellets
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Fresh Foods: Leafy greens, carrots, pumpkin, corn, apples, bananas, papaya, mango, berries
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Nuts/Seeds: Offered sparingly (almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds)
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Avoid: Avocado, chocolate, caffeine, alcohol, high-salt or fatty foods
🔹 Care Requirements
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Cage Size: Very large—minimum 40” x 30” x 60” with strong bars (1–1.5” spacing)
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Exercise: Needs 3–4 hours out-of-cage daily for flight, climbing, and play
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Enrichment:
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Chewable wooden toys (powerful beak = heavy chewing)
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Foraging puzzles to prevent boredom
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Ropes, swings, climbing nets
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Grooming: Regular nail trims, bathing or misting, wing clipping optional
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