Introduction
Cockatoos belong to the Order Psittaciformes (parrots) which evolved as a group independentof the rest of the Parrots. The Cockatoo family Cacatuidae is monophyletic (Christidis
et al
1991).They are a distinct group compared to the rest of their order by having a number of differences.This includes the distinct head feather crest that can be raised and lowered, presence of a gallbladder, powder down, features of the carotid arteries and skull. They also do not have Dyck-texture in the feathers. In the other parrots this provides their feathers with the brightcolourations such as greens and yellows (Adams
et al
. 1984). Christidis
et al
. (1991) notedthat cockatoos have from 72 to 80 diploid number, where as the rest of the parrots have 60 to72. Homberger (1996) also noted that the wood-ripping bill of cockatoos is distinctivecompared to the rest of the parrots, most likely being one of the major contributors to theirdivergence.Today they are restricted to Australia and the eastern portion of the Indonesian islands (Moluccaian Islands, Tinambar Island, Sulawesi Island and the Lesser Sundra Islands.), Papal New Guinea, Bismarck Islands, Solomon Islands and the Philippines.Their origin is most likely Australia some time in on Gondwana some 20 to 30 million yearsago (Homberger 1991), with invasion into Indonesia, as we will see, much later. Though theother parrots went on to colonize Africa and the New World, cockatoos were left stranded andisolated on Australia upon its isolation from Antarctica until the collision with Indonesiareduced the distance enough to cross into that region.Interestingly, compared to the rest of the Parrots, cockatoos comprise of only 6 genera andsome 18 to 22 species. Cockatoos species range from abundant across the continent, to scarcein some smaller regions, to small populations of several hundred on some of the Indonesianislands.They inhabit a wide range of habitats, such as forest, grasslands and tropical forest. Their dietconsists mostly of nuts, fruit, seeds and occasionally insect larva (which may have been theiroriginal diet, [Homberger 1996]). They are considered very intelligent, capable of quick learning, reasoning and have some problem solving abilities. Their beaks are well adapted forripping apart wood or seed cobs to get at the most edible parts (Homberger 1996). This haslead to many of them to be considered crop pests ().Generally, they are monogamous, and in the case of the Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo, require avary large range. Some, such as most of the
Cacalua
, are semi social living in flocks of 20 ormore, while others, such as the Palm Cockatoo, are solitary. Though no studies have yetconfirmed their longevity, in captivity they can live for up to 80 years. Breeding beginsaround 2 years, with successful clutches after 5 years.
Wakefield, page 2
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