Major Mitchell's cockatoo

The Major Mitchell's cockatoo, also known as Leadbeater's cockatoo or the pink cockatoo, is a stunning bird native to the arid and semi-arid regions of Australia. Its striking white and salmon-pink plumage, along with its vibrant crest, make it one of the most beautiful cockatoos in existence. Named after Major Sir Thomas Mitchell, these birds typically reach sexual maturity between three and four years of age and can live for up to an impressive 83 years. They thrive in extensive woodlands, particularly in areas with conifers, sheoaks, and eucalypts, which provide ideal nesting sites.

In terms of classification, the Major Mitchell's cockatoo may be more closely related to the Cacatua genus than to the galah. While it possesses unique features, it also shares similarities with corellas. Interestingly, its scientific name honors the British naturalist Benjamin Leadbeater. Although not currently listed as a threatened species under Australia's Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, it is considered vulnerable in the state of Victoria.

In the world of companion birds, a particularly famous Major Mitchell's cockatoo named Cookie resided at the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago from 1934 until his passing in 2016 at the venerable age of 83. Due to health issues, Cookie was retired from public display in 2009, but he remains a beloved figure in the zoo's history.