Photo: Bramans / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)

Endangered

Parrots

White Cockatoo

Cacatua alba

White Cockatoo (Cacatua alba) — Parrots & Cockatoos of Australia & Oceania.

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Regional checklists

Birds of Spain Birds of France Birds of Indonesia Birds of the Philippines Birds of the United States Birds of Florida Birds of Hawaii Birds of Maryland

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Parrots, Cockatoos & Allies of Spain Parrots, Cockatoos & Allies of France Parrots, Cockatoos & Allies of Indonesia Parrots, Cockatoos & Allies of the Philippines Parrots, Cockatoos & Allies of the United States Parrots, Cockatoos & Allies of Florida Parrots, Cockatoos & Allies of Hawaii

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The White Cockatoo (Cacatua alba) is a member of the Cacatuidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 570 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Endangered.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

EN Endangered

Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Psittaciformes
Family Cacatuidae Cockatoos
Genus Cacatua
Species alba

Where it lives

Halmahera to Bacan (northern Moluccas)

Australia & Oceania

Quick facts

Weight: 570 g
Diet: Omnivores
Family: Cacatuidae
Order: Psittaciformes
Habitat: Woodland

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The White Cockatoo is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Behaviour

A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.

Migration

The White Cockatoo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

The White Cockatoo (Cacatua alba) is a species of bird in the Cacatuidae family, part of the order Psittaciformes. It occurs naturally across Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU Halmahera to Bacan (n Moluccas).

It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 570 g, with a wing length of about 28.2 cm and a tail of around 15.1 cm.

It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 21,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the White Cockatoo?

The White Cockatoo is a large bird that weighs around 570 g.

Where does the White Cockatoo live?

The White Cockatoo is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU Halmahera to Bacan (n Moluccas), where it favours woodland, forest and well-treed country.

What family does the White Cockatoo belong to?

The White Cockatoo (Cacatua alba) belongs to the Cacatuidae family, in the order Psittaciformes.

What does the White Cockatoo eat?

The White Cockatoo is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.

Does the White Cockatoo migrate?

The White Cockatoo is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.

Is the White Cockatoo endangered?

It is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Endangered species face a very high risk of extinction in the wild.

How large is the White Cockatoo's range?

The White Cockatoo has a mapped global range of about 21,000 km².