Triton cockatoo

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Triton cockatoo
Triton cockatoo (Cacatua galerita triton), Gembira Loka Zoo, Yogyakarta, 2015-03-15 04.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Cacatuidae
Genus: Cacatua
Species:
Subspecies:
C. g. triton
Trinomial name
Cacatua galerita triton
Temminick, 1849

The Triton cockatoo (Cacatua galerita triton) is one of the four subspecies of the sulphur-crested cockatoo. [1] [2] The cockatoo was first described by Dutch zoologist, Coenraad Jacob Temminck, in 1849. There is no documentation as to why Temminck selected this name however it is suggested that it was named after the Dutch corvette, Triton, which operated off the Dutch New Guinea coastline, in 19th century. [3]

Contents

It is considered a pest in its natural habitat. [4]

Description

It is white, with a large yellow crest that it can raise. It is 45–55 cm (18–22 in) long, weighing 550–600 g (19–21 oz) and can live up to 40 years. [5] [6] This subspecies differs from the Australian greater sulphur-crested cockatoo in that it is smaller, with broader crest feathers and has a pale blue periophthalmic ring instead of white. [7] [8] Its head and bill appear proportionally larger to its body when compared with the greater sulphur-crested. [9] Although the Triton cockatoo is a larger and heavier bird than the Eleonora cockatoo, in practice, it may be difficult to visually differentiate between the two subspecies. [6]

Distribution

It can be found across most of New Guinea and the surrounding islands, including the Western Islands, the D'Entrecasteaux Islands and the Louisiade Archipelago. [5] It can also be found throughout most of the islands in the western area of the Solomon Sea, [10] with the exception of Aru Islands. [7]

Habitat

In flight Cockatoo -flying -wings -captive-8a.jpg
In flight

The Triton Cockatoo is almost exclusively arboreal and are rarely found in groups numbering more than half a dozen individuals. They prefer the thick jungle forest found on hillsides and whilst most are commonly found in lower and moderate elevations they have been found in forests 1,850 m (6,070 ft) above sea level. [10] [11]

Diet

They mainly eat seeds, fruits and occasionally insects. [5]

Breeding

They are aggressive, solitary and territorial during breeding season, which is from May to September. It nests in tree cavities, like most cockatoos. They fill the nest with leaves and vines as padding and lay 2-3 eggs, which both parents incubate for approximately 26 days. [5]

Aviculture

Alongside the Eleonora cockatoo, avicultural populations of Triton cockatoo are well-established in Europe and the United States and young, hand-reared individuals are available for purchase. [6]

In fiction

A Triton cockatoo, named Fred features prominently in the 1970s US TV series, Baretta as the pet of the titular character. In reality, two cockatoos named Lalah and Weird Harold were used during production. [12]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cockatoo</span> Any bird in the family Cacatuidae

A cockatoo is any of the 21 species of parrots belonging to the family Cacatuidae, the only family in the superfamily Cacatuoidea. Along with the Psittacoidea and the Strigopoidea, they make up the order Psittaciformes. The family has a mainly Australasian distribution, ranging from the Philippines and the eastern Indonesian islands of Wallacea to New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanimbar corella</span> Species of bird

The Tanimbar corella, also known as Goffin's cockatoo or Tanimbar cockatoo, is a species of cockatoo endemic to forests of Yamdena, Larat and Selaru, all islands in the Tanimbar Islands archipelago in Indonesia. It has been introduced to the Kai Islands, Indonesia, Puerto Rico and Singapore. This species was only formally described in 2004, after it was discovered that the previous formal descriptions pertained to individuals of a different cockatoo species, the Ducorps' or Solomons cockatoo. Tanimbar corellas are the smallest of the white cockatoos. It is classified as Near Threatened due to deforestation and bird trade. It breeds well in captivity and there is a large avicultural population.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pink cockatoo</span> Type of cockatoo

The pink cockatoo, also known as the Major Mitchell's cockatoo or the Leadbeater's cockatoo, is a medium-sized cockatoo that inhabits arid and semi-arid inland areas of Australia, though it is seen regularly in other climates, for example, South-East Queensland's subtropical region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Palm cockatoo</span> Species of bird from the South Pacific

The palm cockatoo, also known as the goliath cockatoo or great black cockatoo, is a large smoky-grey or black parrot of the cockatoo family native to New Guinea, Aru Islands, and Cape York Peninsula. It has a very large black beak and prominent red cheek patches.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salmon-crested cockatoo</span> Species of bird

The salmon-crested cockatoo, also known as the Moluccan cockatoo, is a cockatoo endemic to the Seram archipelago in eastern Indonesia. At a height of up to 46–52 centimetres (1.51–1.71 ft) and weight of up to 850 grams (1.87 lb), it is among the largest of the white cockatoos. The female is slightly smaller than the male on average. It has white-pink feathers with a definite peachy glow, a slight yellow on the underwing and underside of the tail feathers and a large retractable recumbent crest which it raises when threatened, revealing hitherto concealed bright red-orange plumes to frighten potential attackers. It may also be raised in excitement or in other 'emotional' displays. Some describe the crest as "flamingo-colored". It also has one of the louder calls in the parrot world and in captivity is a capable mimic.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Galah</span> Type of cockatoo

The galah, less commonly known as the pink and grey cockatoo or rose-breasted cockatoo, is an Australian species of cockatoo and the only member of the genus Eolophus. The galah is adapted to a wide variety of modified and unmodified habitats and is one of Australia's most abundant and widespread bird species. The species is endemic to mainland Australia. It was introduced to Tasmania, where it is now widespread, in the mid-19th century and much more recently to New Zealand.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White cockatoo</span> Species of bird

The white cockatoo, also known as the umbrella cockatoo, is a medium-sized all-white cockatoo endemic to tropical rainforest on islands of Indonesia. When surprised, it extends a large and striking head crest, which has a semicircular shape. The wings and tail have a pale yellow or lemon color which is exposed when they fly. It is similar to other species of white cockatoo such as yellow-crested cockatoo, sulphur-crested cockatoo, and salmon-crested cockatoo, all of which have yellow, orange or pink crest feathers instead of white.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sulphur-crested cockatoo</span> Species of bird

The sulphur-crested cockatoo is a relatively large white cockatoo found in wooded habitats in Australia, New Guinea, and some of the islands of Indonesia. They can be locally very numerous, leading to them sometimes being considered pests. A highly intelligent bird, they are well known in aviculture, although they can be demanding pets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Citron-crested cockatoo</span> Subspecies of bird

The citron-crested cockatoo is a medium-sized cockatoo with an orange crest, dark grey beak, pale orange ear patches, and strong feet and claws. The underside of the larger wing and tail feathers have a pale yellow color. The eyelid color is a very light blue. Both sexes are similar. Females have a copper colored eye where as the male has a very dark black eye.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Solomons cockatoo</span> Species of bird

The Solomons cockatoo, also known as the Ducorps's cockatoo, Solomons corella or broad-crested corella, is a species of cockatoo endemic to the Solomon Islands archipelago. This small white cockatoo is larger than the Tanimbar corella yet smaller than the umbrella cockatoo. The species is common across most of the Solomons, absent only from Makira in the south. It inhabits lowland rainforests, secondary forests, cleared areas and gardens.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yellow-crested cockatoo</span> Species of bird

The yellow-crested cockatoo also known as the lesser sulphur-crested cockatoo, is a medium-sized cockatoo with white plumage, bluish-white bare orbital skin, grey feet, a black bill, and a retractile yellow or orange crest. The sexes are similar.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little corella</span> Species of bird

The little corella, also known as the short-billed corella, bare-eyed cockatoo, blood-stained cockatoo, and little cockatoo is a white cockatoo native to Australia and southern New Guinea. It was known as Birdirra among the Yindjibarndi people of the central and western Pilbara. They would keep them as pets, or traditionally cook and eat them. The downy feathers are used in traditional ceremonies and dances where they adorn head and armbands.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Glossy black cockatoo</span> Species of cockatoo from Australia

The glossy black cockatoo, is the smallest member of the subfamily Calyptorhynchinae found in eastern Australia. Adult glossy black cockatoos may reach 50 cm (19.5 in) in length. They are sexually dimorphic. Males are blackish brown, except for their prominent red tail bands; the females are dark brownish with some yellow spotting. Three subspecies are recognised.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue-eyed cockatoo</span> Type of cockatoo

The blue-eyed cockatoo is a large, mainly white cockatoo about 50 cm (20 in) long with a mobile crest, a black beak, and a light blue rim of featherless skin around each eye that gives this species its name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Eleonora cockatoo</span> Subspecies of bird

The Eleonora cockatoo, Cacatua galerita eleonora, also known as medium sulphur-crested cockatoo, is a subspecies of the sulphur-crested cockatoo. It is native to the Aru Islands in the province of Maluku in eastern Indonesia, but has also been introduced to Kai Islands. Avicultural populations are well-established in Europe and the United States.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Birds of Eden</span> Zoo in Western Cape, South Africa

Birds of Eden is the world's largest free flight aviary and bird sanctuary, located in Kurland village near Plettenberg Bay in the Western Cape, South Africa. The mesh dome of the sanctuary was built over 2.3 hectares of indigenous forest, and is up to 55 metres (180 ft) above ground level. 1.2 kilometres (0.75 mi) of walkways, about 75% of which are elevated, let visitors see the birds at all levels of the aviary.

<i>Cacatua</i> (subgenus) Subgenus of birds

Cacatua is a subgenus of the white cockatoos. They are found in wooded habitats from Wallacea east to the Bismarck Archipelago and south to Australia. With the exception of the yellow-crested cockatoo, all are relatively large cockatoos with a total length of 45–55 cm (18–22 in). Their plumage is mainly white, and the underwing and -tail have a yellowish tinge. Their crest is expressive and brightly coloured in most species. Unlike the members of the subgenus Licmetis, the members of the subgenus Cacatua have a black bill.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greater sulphur-crested cockatoo</span> Subspecies of bird

The greater sulphur-crested cockatoo is the nominate subspecies of the sulphur-crested cockatoo. It is native to eastern Australia from Cape York to Tasmania, and has been introduced to places like Indonesia, and the Palau Islands. Its length is up to 50 cm (20 in) and weighs 0.91 kg (2 lb), making them some of the largest cockatoo species.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mathews' cockatoo</span> Subspecies of bird

The Mathews cockatoo or northern sulphur-crested cockatoo is a subspecies of the sulphur-crested cockatoo. Its scientific name relates to the area in which it was first found, the Fitzroy River and its common name comes from Gregory Mathews, the Australian ornithologist who first identified it as a subspecies in 1912.

The sulphur-crested cockatoo is a relatively large white cockatoo found in wooded habitats in Australia, New Guinea, and some of the islands of Indonesia.

References

  1. "ITIS Standard Report Page: Cacatua galerita triton". www.itis.gov. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  2. "Taxonomy browser (Cacatua galerita triton)". www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. Retrieved 30 July 2020.
  3. Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael; Grayson, Michael (2020). The Eponym Dictionary of Birds. Bloomsbury Publishing. ISBN   9781472982698.
  4. "Triton Cockatoos | Beauty of Birds". www.beautyofbirds.com. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "Triton sulphur-crested cockatoo". www.zoobarcelona.cat. Retrieved 29 July 2020.
  6. 1 2 3 "Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Fact Sheet". Northern Parrots. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
  7. 1 2 Beehler, Bruce M.; Pratt, Thane K. (2016). Birds of New Guinea: Distribution, Taxonomy, and Systematics. Princeton University Press. p. 240. ISBN   9781400880713.
  8. Harman, Ian (1981). Australian Parrots in Bush and Aviary. David & Charles. p. 190. ISBN   9780715382592.
  9. "Triton Cockatoo". birdfinding.info. Retrieved 3 January 2023.
  10. 1 2 Mulawka, Edward John (2016). The Cockatoos: A Complete Guide to the 21 Species. McFarland. p. 67. ISBN   9781476614717.
  11. "Supplement". Scientific American . Munn and Company. 35: 14548. 1893.
  12. "Cockatoo". San Diego Zoo. Retrieved 3 January 2023.