Yellow-Crested Cockatoo, One of the Smart Birds - Yvonne Rennesia Gulo

At first, it seemed like another cockatoo. But actually, this bird has characteristics and features that are incredibly unique, that not every bird has. Parrots that evolved 95 million years ago on the ancient continent of Gondwana are some of the smartest birds in existence. They were equal to chimpanzees in the sort of intelligence. They used their left foot to eat while the other one walked. The yellow-crested cockatoo is native to the wooded and cultivated areas of East Timor and Indonesia's islands of Sulawesi and the Lesser Sundas. These birds have also been introduced in Hong Kong and other parts of the world.

While every bird has their very own uniqueness. These birds are excellent at mimicking and learning to speak words and phrases. This species is not well-suited to apartment living, as its noisiness can be considered a nuisance to close neighbours. They are primarily white with black beaks. They sport a beautiful crest of yellow feathers on top of their heads. It has a yellow wash on the underside of its wings.

As far as it is known, the wild yellow-crested cockatoo relies on berries, seeds, nuts, and roots. Feeding normally takes place in small to large groups, with one or more members of the group watching for danger from a nearby perch. When not feeding, birds will bite off smaller branches and leaves from trees. The eggs are laid in a suitable tree hollow, which is prepared by both sexes. Both birds also incubate and care for the chicks. The chicks remain with the parents all year round and family groups will stay together indefinitely.

The bird population started to decline in the 1980s following rampant illegal wildlife trading. Since the 1980s, this type has been exported regularly from Denpasar to San Francisco, United States of America. After export activities were prohibited, illegal trading was not stopped. This critical status makes the yellow-crested cockatoo one of the 18 bird species in Indonesia with the highest threat status. Need special protection from the central government and local governments.