Fun Eleonora Cockatoo Facts For Kids

The Eleonora cockatoo (Cacatua galerita eleonora) is a kind of parrot found in the Aru Islands and a subspecies under sulphur-crested cockatoos. These parrots are also called medium sulphur-crested cockatoos.

They have a perfect white plumage with pale yellow feathers under the wings and tail and a pale blue eye-ring. In addition to the blue eye-ring, these birds also differ from the greater sulphur-crested cockatoo due to their smaller size and crests which are not as curved.

The natural habitat of Eleonora cockatoos consists of forests, woodlands, and steppe regions. These birds have an omnivorous diet and their food materials include insects, berries, and seeds.

This parrot is very affectionate in nature and forms a deep connection with its human owner. They love attention and a lack of attention might cause them to have behavioral problems. In the wild, they form large groups and are highly gregarious.

Their calls are quite harsh and loud, but the ones bred in captivity tend to be much quieter. These birds are under threat due to the degradation of their ecosystems and the pet trade.

To learn more about the Eleonora cockatoo, keep reading! For more relatable content, check out these barn owl facts and horned parakeet facts for kids.

Eleonora Cockatoo Interesting Facts

What type of animal is an Eleonora cockatoo?

The Eleonora cockatoo is a highly intelligent parrot and a subspecies under the sulphur-crested cockatoo. This parrot is also commonly known as a medium sulphur-crested cockatoo.

What class of animal does an Eleonora cockatoo belong to?

The Eleonora cockatoo is a member of the class Aves and they belong to the order Psittaciformes. The members of this order are broadly referred to as parrots. Eleonora cockatoos are part of the Cacatuidae family.

How many Eleonora cockatoos are there in the world?

The population of sulphur-crested cockatoos has a decreasing trend, according to the International Union For Conservation Of Nature or IUCN. The number of Eleonora cockatoos is estimated to be between 2,500-9,999 in the wild.

Where does an Eleonora cockatoo live?

This bird is found in the Aru Islands in eastern Indonesia. Their range also extends to the Kai Islands as they were introduced there.

What is an Eleonora cockatoo's habitat?

The natural habitat of the Eleonora cockatoo in the wild consists of forests, woodlands, and steppe regions. They are also known to inhabit former forests. In captivity, they are kept in aviaries or cages.

Who do Eleonora cockatoos live with?

The Eleonora cockatoo is a highly gregarious bird. In the wild, they forage in large flocks that may consist of 20 birds or more. During the breeding season, they are seen in pairs. In captivity, as a pet parrot, this bird forms a deep connection with its owners and can perfectly live with humans.

How long does an Eleonora cockatoo live?

Cockatoos usually have life longevity between 40-70 years. However, in captivity, they can live up to 100! The Eleonora cockatoo has a life span of 40 years or more which falls within the natural life span range of other cockatoos.

How do they reproduce?

The reproductive season begins in September and ends in January for these parrots. During this time, they are often found in pairs and they make nests in crevices of rocks or hollow trees.

Females lay two to three eggs which are oval in shape and white in color. The eggs are incubated by both the males and females. The offsprings hatch after 30 days and fledge from the nest after 75 days.

What is their conservation status?

The conservation status of the entire sulphur-crested cockatoo species has been marked as Least Concern by the International Union For Conservation Of Nature or IUCN. However, habitat loss and the pet trade have significant negative impacts on these parrots and are causes for concern.

Eleonora Cockatoo Fun Facts

What do Eleonora cockatoos look like?

The Eleonora cockatoo or medium sulphur-crested cockatoo has an appearance that is similar to the other subspecies of sulphur-crested cockatoos in many ways. Their plumage is completely white and they have pale yellow feathers under their wings, tail, and surrounding the ears.

The yellow crest is not as curved as the other subspecies but still looks quite spectacular, and can reach a length between 16-18 in (40.6-45.7 cm).

Their eye-ring is pale blue, with pale gray to black iris color for males and red-brown iris color for females. Their bill is quite curved and their feet appear to be black or dark gray.

How cute are they?

Sulphur-crested cockatoos are very commonly kept as pets due to their cute appearance and intelligence. The same applies to this bird as they are very cute and friendly.

How do they communicate?

Just like other birds, the Eleonora cockatoo communicates through calls and vocalizations. Their call resembles a very harsh note that sounds like, 'rreh-ah'. They utilize different kinds of calls when they are perched which seem to be more nasal and consist of squeaks and squawks. When kept as pets, they also learn to mimic human speech.

How big is an Eleonora cockatoo?

These medium sulphur-crested cockatoos have a length of 17 in (43 cm). Among the four subspecies of the sulphur-crested cockatoo, the Eleonora cockatoo size is the smallest one. When compared to another bird belonging to the family Cacatuidae, known as the palm cockatoo, the Eleonora cockatoo is certainly smaller, as the former measures between 21.6-23.6 in (55-60 cm).

How fast can an Eleonora cockatoo fly?

The Eleonora cockatoo is a strong flier and it can be assumed that they are quite fast. In general, all the subspecies under the sulphur-crested cockatoo are thought to fly long distances to find food.

How much does an Eleonora cockatoo weigh?

The weight of an Eleonora cockatoo is between 14.2-21.2 oz (404-602 g). Compared to the spectacular pink cockatoo species which has a weight between 10.6-15.9 oz (300-450 g), the Eleonora cockatoo appears to be heavier.

What are the male and female names of the species?

The male cockatoo and female cockatoo of this species are known as a male Eleonora cockatoo and a female Eleonora cockatoo. They can also be referred to as a male medium sulphur-crested cockatoo and a female medium sulphur-crested cockatoo.

What would you call a baby Eleonora cockatoo?

Depending on the stage of life the bird is in, a baby Eleonora cockatoo can be called a hatchling, nestling, or fledgling. The baby bird can also be referred to as an Eleonora or a medium sulphur-crested cockatoo chick.

What do they eat?

These birds have an omnivorous diet and are known to feed on fruits, berries, seeds, nuts, and insects. They also consume flower buds. Usually, they can be seen foraging on the ground. They tend to feed in large flocks which can consist of 20 birds or more.

Are they dangerous?

This parrot species is not really thought to be dangerous towards humans as they are quite commonly kept as a pet. However, cockatoos, in general, can be aggressive if provoked. It is best to handle these birds with care and caution.

Would they make a good pet?

The Eleonora cockatoo is surely a wonderful pet. Apart from its amazing white plumage and yellow crest which look quite aesthetic, this bird is known for being affectionate and intelligent.

They have very friendly personalities. In fact, in captivity, if they are not given enough attention, they tend to develop behavioral problems which include screaming and plucking their own feathers. This bird is also described as being more independent in nature than other cockatoo species.

Did you know...

The Eleonora cockatoo was named after Maria Eleonora van der Schroef who was the wife of the director of the zoo where this subspecies was discovered.

Eleonora cockatoos are highly intelligent and emotionally complex parrots. This can be proven by the fact that these birds are able to perceive musical beats. An Eleonora cockatoo called Snowball was observed to synchronize its movements and dance to musical beats.

What do cockatoos hate?

There are a few things that seem to deter the various cockatoo species. They are not fond of the color white and have been noted to avoid chewing on white wooden railings. They also stay away from white goshawks or any cut-out that looks like white goshawks or eagles.  

How does the Eleanora cockatoo compare with other cockatoos?

Parrots belonging to the family Cacatuidae are referred to as cockatoos. While the Eleonora cockatoo is a subspecies under sulphur-crested cockatoos, there are several other fascinating cockatoo species.

The citron-crested cockatoo is one of the rarest cockatoo species in the world. This bird is marked as being Critically Endangered with no more than 2,499 birds in the wild.

Habitat loss and the pet trade have taken a heavy toll on this species. The umbrella cockatoo or white cockatoo is one of the cheapest cockatoo species and is very commonly bought as pets. They are very similar in appearance to the medium sulphur-crested cockatoo and have a semicircular crest.

Another interesting cockatoo species is the palm cockatoo, native to New Guinea, Cape York Peninsula, and the Aru Islands. This bird has one of the largest bills belonging to any parrot. Unlike the Eleonora cockatoo, the palm cockatoo has black plumage and red patches on its cheeks.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! Learn more about some other birds from our Jacobin cuckoo fun facts and Pesquet's parrot interesting facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable cockatoo coloring pages.