Alternative names: Ducorps's Cockatoo; Broad-crested Corella; Solomon Corella; Solomon Islands Corella
- Cacatua ducorpsii
Identification
30-34 cm. (11¾-13¼ in.)
- Mainly white
- White triangular crest
- Light pinkish bases to head and breast feathers (not usually visible)
- Yellowish undertail and wing linings
- Pale blue orbital skin.
Similar Species
None within range.
Distribution
Endemic to the Solomon Islands. Bougainville to Guadalcanal and Malaita.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
Habitat
They inhabit a wide variety of forests, forest edges, second-growth woodlands, gardens, scrub and suburbs. Most common in lowlands below 700 meters but have been recorded up to 1800 meters.
Behaviour
Rather shy, they often burst forth with shrill cries when disturbed. They have a firm, jerky flight with shallow wingbeats.
Diet
Fruit, seeds, blossoms, leaf buds, epiphytes, large caterpillars and soft-bodied insects. Sometimes raids native gardens for papayas and yams.
Breeding
Its breeding biology was unknown until 1997 when several nests with young in high natural tree cavities were described[7]. Clutch is usually two or three white eggs.
Vocalisation
Common flight call is a quick succession of two or three short grating notes. Also series of double cries with the first note is accented and the second inflected downward.
Movements
Presumed largely resident. Occurs mainly in pairs or groups of 5–10 individuals.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, S. M. Billerman, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2019. The eBird/Clements Checklist of Birds of the World: v2019. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Dutson, G. (2011) Birds of Melanesia, Christopher Helm, London.
- Gregory, P. (2017) Birds of New Guinea, Including Bismarck Archipelago and Boughainville. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona.
- Juniper, T. & Parr, M. (1998) Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World. Yale Univ. Press, New Haven and London.
- Oiseaux.net
- Rowley, I. & Boesman, P. (2019). Solomons Corella (Cacatua ducorpsii). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/54419 on 26 November 2019).
- Webb, H.P. (1997) Nesting and other observations of Solomon Island birds. Austr. Bird Watcher 17:34-41.
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2025) Solomons Cockatoo. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 12 February 2025 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Solomons_Cockatoo
