# How Fast Is A Sulphur-crested Cockatoo?

> Sulphur-crested Cockatoo top speed is about Strong flier; agile climber using bill and feet. Sprint vs endurance and what limits pace.

- **Species:** Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (*Cacatua galerita*)
- **Conservation status:** Least Concern
- **Diet:** Omnivore — seeds, nuts, fruit, roots, and insects
- **Habitat:** Woodlands, farmland, and urban parks of Australia and New Guinea
- **Lifespan:** 40–80 years in captivity; 20–40 in the wild
- **Top speed:** Strong flier; agile climber using bill and feet
- **Canonical HTML:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/cockatoo/how-fast-is-a-cockatoo/
- **Parent profile:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/cockatoo/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Quick answer

The sulphur-crested cockatoo is a large white parrot with a bright yellow crest, powerful bill, and raucous calls, common across Australia and New Guinea. Highly intelligent and long-lived — up to 80 years in captivity — it forages in flocks, damages crops, and is a popular but demanding pet.

## Who should skip this page

Skip this if you need the full biology — use the [Sulphur-crested Cockatoo profile](https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/cockatoo/) instead.

## Crest signals and flock life

The yellow crest rises when the bird is alarmed, excited, or displaying — a visible signal across open woodland. Cockatoos feed in noisy flocks, screeching as they move between roost trees and feeding grounds. Strong pair bonds last years or life.

## Help protect the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Cockatoos are taken from the wild for the pet trade. Partner rescue programmes need funds for confiscation, vet care and sanctuary space.

[Donate to parrot rescue](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/appeals/parrots/)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/cockatoo/how-fast-is-a-cockatoo/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.