The Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo (also known as the Yellow-crested Cockatoo) can be found in Timor-Leste and Indonesia's islands of Bali, Timor, Sulawesi and Lesser Sunda Islands.
They are critically endangered, especially due to illegal trapping for the pet trade. There are less than 10,000 left in the wild.
The Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo contains six subspecies: Sulphurea (Lesser Sulpher Crested Cockatoo) Citrinocristata (Citron Crested Cockatoo) Parvula (Timor Cockatoo) Abbotti Djampeana Occidentalis
The Lesser Sulphur is often confused with the larger Greater Sulphur Crested Cockatoo. The Lesser is smaller at 35cm (14in) long.
They are all white with a yellow coloured crest (or orange in the Citron's case). There is also yellow on their cheeks and underneath their wings and tail. Mature females have a reddish or brown iris while males have a dark brown to black iris.
There is a lutino mutation of the Citron Crested Cockatoo.
As Companion Pets Lesser Sulphurs are adorable, entertaining companion pets that require a lot of care. They thrive on attention and love to entertain and dance.
These parrots are highly trainable and respond very well to trick training. In typical cockatoo fashion, they are affectionate and cuddly birds.
The Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo requires a lot of mental stimulation through plenty of toys and items to chew on. They are prone to boredom which may lead to feather plucking.
Diet and Health A good Lesser Sulphur Crested Cockatoo diet consists of seed, vegetables, fruits, and commercial parrot pellets.
Cockatoos are quite prone to psittacine beak and feather syndrome. This condition is often mistaken to be a nutritional deficiency because the first signs are often in the form of overgrown beak and nails and a loss of powder down. Feather abnormalties in cockatoos should be seen by an avian vet before assuming it is a nutritional problem.
Clara Hollins is the founder of Wiki Pet Bird, a new interactive resource for birdkeepers all over the world. Members can share their knowledge in all aspects of bird care, submit toy and product reviews, and join in at the forum. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Clara_Hollins
