# White Cockatoo

Scientific name: Cacatua alba

Bird group: [cockatoo](https://birdsofpuertorico.com/family/cockatoo)

Canonical source: https://birdsofpuertorico.com/bird/194/White-Cockatoo

## Identification

The white cockatoo (Cacatua alba), also known as the umbrella cockatoo, is a medium-sized all-white cockatoo endemic to tropical rainforest on islands of Indonesia. When surprised, it extends a large and striking head crest, which has a semicircular shape (similar to an umbrella, hence the alternative name). The wings and tail have a pale yellow or lemon color which is exposed when they fly. It is similar to other species of white cockatoo such as yellow-crested cockatoo, sulphur-crested cockatoo, and salmon-crested cockatoo, all of which have yellow, orange or pink crest feathers instead of white.
The white cockatoo is around 46 cm (18 in) long, and weighs about 400 g (14 oz) for small females and up to 800 g (28 oz) for big males.  The male white cockatoo usually has a broader head and a bigger beak than the female.  They have brown or black eyes and a dark grey beak.  When mature some female white cockatoos can have reddish/brown irises, while the irises of the adult male are dark brown or black.


## Distribution and habitat

The White Cockatoo is endemic to several Indonesia islands 
(Juniper and Parr 1998). It 
is also a common species in 
captivity (Juniper and Parr 
1998) and has been introduced 
to Puerto Rico where it has a 
stable population trend, although 
with low numbers, around the 
municipalities of Bayamón and 
Guaynabo in the metropolitan 
area (Falcón and Tremblay 2018). 
In its native habitat, it can usually 
be found in lowland and hill 
forests, as well as in second-
growth forests around clearings, 
rivers, forests edges, and 
agricultural lands (Juniper and 
Parr 1998). The atlas fieldwork yielded a total of five records 
within two hexagons or 0.4 
percent of the 479 total hexagons 
(see map). Of the two hexagons 
where this species was found, 
breeding met the atlas definition 
of confirmed in 50 percent (one) 
of the hexagons and probable 
in 50 percent (one) as well 
(see map). White Cockatoo distribution. The map shows the highest breeding code by hexagon and overlaying the ecological life zones in 
Puerto Rico. Note: percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.

## Breeding

Previously published reports indicate that, in its native habitat, 
the White Cockatoo is suspected 
to nest in April, and the nesting 
usually occurs in tree cavities 
(Juniper and Parr 1998). Atlas 
results show that this species       185White Cockatoo/Cacatúa Blancabreeds during February, April, and December (see chart). 
The breeding activity peaks in 
April and takes place within 
the subtropical moist forest life 
zone (see chart). Results show 
that this species breeds in the 
subtropical moist forest life zone 
(100 percent of the hexagons) 
(see table and map).

## Conservation

The current population trend of the White Cockatoo in 
Indonesia is suspected to be 
rapidly declining with ongoing habitat destruction, deforestation, 
and the international cage-bird 
trade (BirdLife International 
2018). This species is currently 
listed as Endangered by the 
IUCN (BirdLife International 
2018). Locally, this species is not 
listed in any of the threatened 
categories of PRDNER and 
USFWS. In Puerto Rico, the 
White Cockatoo has a protected 
habitat of 5 percent or 2 km2 of the total area covered by the 
hexagons where this species is 
known to breed (48 km2). 

Photo: https://birdsofpuertorico.com/static/images/webp/in_194_Im0.png.webp

Distribution map: https://birdsofpuertorico.com/static/images/webp/in_194_Im1.png.webp

Source note: Text is reproduced from this site's published record. Historical conservation statements and taxonomy have not been independently revalidated. See https://birdsofpuertorico.com/about for source credits and limitations.