From an early age, almost all generations in Indonesia are very familiar with a children's song depicting a parrot, although there is no definite explanation of the type. But one thing is certain: there are 21 world’s species of cockatoo, seven of which are found in Indonesia and identified as follows:
the Yellow-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua sulphurea), the Salmon-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua moluccensis), the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita), the Tanimbar Corella (Cacatua goffini), the Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea), the Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus), and the White Cockatoo (Cacatua alba).
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These cockatoos are scattered in various regions in Indonesia, residing in their respective areas. The last on the list above, the White Cockatoo, is endemic to North Maluku and inhabiting the Halmahera, Bacan Ternate, Kasiruta, Tidore and Mandioli islands.
Having white domination in plumage, the physical appearance of the White Cockatoo is similar to the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, in particular when its crest is lowered. When straightened up and fanned out, the crest resembles an umbrella, hence the alternative name for the species.
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The population of White Cockatoo is threatened by over-poaching and trading, which grows larger due to unprotected status of the species despite its trading activities being the highest compared to other cockatoos.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature has declared the White Cockatoo as threatened to extinction species under category Endangered/EN. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Plants and Animals (CITES) also has included the White Cockatoo in appendix II, meaning if tight regulation on its trading process is not being implemented, its extinction threat will continue to mount.
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White Cockatoo is featured on the March 2017 edition of Burung Indonesia’s Wallpaper. Help us to raise the public’s awareness on this endangered bird. Download at the following link: White Cockatoo Wallpaper.