White Cockatoo
White
Cockatoo (Cacatua alba)
The white cockatoo is a medium sized (around 46 cm long)
bird with all white feathers. These birds are endemic to the rainforest islands
of Indonesia. When flying, the tail and wings of the white cockatoo show off a
yellow color. The white cockatoo is also known as the umbrella cockatoo because
upon being surprised its large head crest extends in a semi circular shape. Based on
information from the IUCN Red List the total population size of the white cockatoo
is 43,000-183,000 individuals.
Habitat
The white cockatoo is endemic to lowland tropical rainforests
on the Moluccan Islands in North Maluku, Indonesia. The bird was also introduced
to Taiwan. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission,
there are also populations of the white cockatoo currently in Florida. These
birds are found at elevations of 300 to 900m and spend most of their time in the
tree canopy.
Special Role
in Ecosystem
Like all birds, white cockatoos help disperse seeds throughout
their territory. Also, their nests are most likely used as habitats for other
animals in their non-breeding season. Without birds like the white cockatoo to spread
seeds, less growth and flora diversity will take place.
Cause of
decline
White cockatoos are the victims of illegal animal trade, and
it happens to be their greatest threat. In 1991, an estimated minimum of 6,600
birds were taken from the wild. This number is possibly only a fraction of the true
number might be.
In May of 2015, a smuggler was arrested was arrested at an
Indonesian port. This man was attempting to smuggle 24 white cockatoos aboard a
passenger ship. He did this by shoving the birds into plastic water bottles. A Mongabay
article by Nadine Freischlad includes a photo of this horrendous incident, https://news.mongabay.com/2019/01/indonesia-confiscated-some-200-pet-cockatoos-what-happened-to-them/
As for ecological reasons for decline, deforestation greatly
affects the white cockatoo because trees are their home. Logging and the
harvesting of timber crops destroys the white cockatoo’s ecosystem that allows
them to live happily and freely in the wild.
Why is this
important?
The white cockatoo is an important animal because it
disperses seeds thus promoting flora growth. It is also known to eat insects
like crickets and skinks. Without birds, insect populations would run rampant.
These birds are also intelligent creatures that don’t deserve to be caged. They
need to be socialized and roam freely for their mental health. Caged white
cockatoos that receive no stimulation resort to plucking their own feathers
until they are bald.
Conservation
Efforts
Tasikoki Rescue Centre and World Parrot Trust—coordinating confiscation,
providing care and rehabilitation, and education
PROFAUNA—forest conservation working together with local
communities, forest rehabilitation, nature conservation education and nature
reserve protection
Efforts have been made to limit parrot trafficking across
Indonesia by international NGO's, local zoos, and newly affirmed governments.
There are many suggested conservation efforts
·
Improve smuggling route patrols
·
Initiate conservation awareness campaign
·
Captive breeding program
·
Conduct research into population dynamics
·
Monitor both national and international trade
Geography
Tools/Geospatial Tools for Conservation
According to the equilibrium theory of island biography,
small islands have a higher rate of extinction. This is because of species
having less habitat and resources and its smaller populations. The Maluku islands
of Indonesia are small and isolated which makes their species at risk of extinction.
Geographic Information System could help track white
cockatoo movement, monitor their habitat changes, evaluate, and restore their
habitat, and determine the key environmental factors for the species. I think
that determining the key environmental factors for the white cockatoo is
important to combat the threat of deforestation. It would be interesting to see
what kinds of trees they prefer to nest in, how far do they roam from their
home, what nuts/fruits do they eat the most. Finding out these things will help
teams prioritize what flora they need to protect for the livelihood of the
white cockatoo.
Ways to
help!
PROFAUNA Indonesia
Donate:
Volunteer:
VOLUNTEER
REQUIREMENTS:
- Minimum
age of 18 years.
- Ready
to volunteer in the field and preferably having adventurous personality.
- Join a
minimum of 2 week duration, with a day off every week.
- Pay a volunteer fee of 500 USD (for 2 weeks).
To sign up, please contact volunteer@profauna.net Copy Carbon (CC) info@profauna.net and butet.sitohang@gmail.com
Kakatua Bulu Cockatoo Sanctuary & Rescue—Sponsor a cockatoo!
https://www.cockatoosanctuary.org/sponsor-a-cockatoo
Polly is a white cockatoo who is not yet sponsored! Click
this link to find the details to sponsor her! https://www.cockatoosanctuary.org/sponsor-polly
Donate to: The Chloe Sanctuary for Parrots and
Cockatoos
https://www.chloesanctuary.org/support-us-today.html
Donate to: Indonesian Parrot Project & Konservasi
Kakatua Indonesia
https://indonesian-parrot-project.org/
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