Cockatoo Species

Cockatoos are a subfamily of parrots native to Australia and islands of southeast Asia. The subfamily is known as cacatuinae and has 21 known species of cockatoo. Cockatoos are flock birds and have highly social natures, which is why several species make suitable companion pets. The birds are also known to be among the most vocal of all parrot types.

  1. Cockatoos and Corellas

    • The largest genus within the cockatoo subfamily is cacatua, which includes over half of the known cockatoo species. The shortest of all cockatoos, the Solomon Corella, is in this genus, and grows to just 12 inches in length. The species in this group tend to be white with small areas of other colors around the eyes, on top of the head or on the chest and face. The sulphur-crested cockatoo, for example, is pure white except for a yellow crest on top of its head. Other species in this genus include the long-billed and western corellas as well as the salmon-crested, white and blue-eyed cockatoos.

    Black Cockatoos

    • The next largest cockatoo genus is calyptorhynchus, better known as black cockatoos. This genus includes the tallest of all cockatoos, the red-tailed black cockatoo, which grows to over 2 feet in length. Five species in total make up this genus, and all tend to be dark brown to black in color with smaller areas of bright plumage often around the tail. Species in this genus include the short-billed, long-billed, glossy and yellow-tailed black cockatoos.

    Galah and Gang Gang Cockatoo

    • The gang gang cockatoo is the sole member of its genus callocephalon. It is a small bird of just over a foot in length with mainly gray plumage and a distinct red head with a feathery crest. The rose-breasted cockatoo, or galah, as its more commonly known, is also the only member of its genus eolophus. It grows to around 13 inches in length and has a gray back with a rosy pink underside and throat.

    Cockatiel and Palm Cockatoo

    • The palm cockatoo is not the largest but is the heaviest of all cockatoos often weighing over 2 pounds. It is the sole member of the probosciger genus. It is black all over with a large crest and reddish-orange cheek markings. At the other end of the scale, the cockatiel is also not the smallest but is the lightest of all cockatoos. It can weigh as little as 2.8 ounces when fully grown. It is also one of the most colorful cockatoos with males being mostly gray but having bright yellow faces and deep red cheek spots.