Goffin's Cockatoo

Overview

Goffin's Cockatoo, also called the Tanimbar Corella, is a small white cockatoo native to the Tanimbar Islands in Indonesia. It is one of the smaller cockatoo species, with relatively subtle coloring compared to its larger, more brightly crested relatives.

A faint salmon-pink tinge near the base of the bill and crest, along with a short crest, helps separate it from other small white cockatoos.

Feather Identification

• Body feathers: Predominantly white, with a fine, slightly powdery texture typical of cockatoos.
• Facial feathers: A faint pinkish-salmon tinge appears between the eye and the base of the bill (lores), subtle but useful for identification.
• Crest feathers: A short, rounded crest, white with pale salmon-pink bases visible when the crest is raised.
• Eye-ring: A pale bluish-white bare eye-ring, distinct from the darker eye-ring of some related corella species.
• Compared to similar species: Smaller than the Sulphur-crested or Umbrella Cockatoo, with a much shorter crest and the distinctive pink lore tinge instead of yellow or deep salmon coloring.

Plumage Notes

Sexes look alike in plumage. Juveniles resemble adults but may show a slightly less defined pink lore tinge and shorter crest feathers.

Molt occurs gradually through the year, with plumage color remaining stable across seasons.

Habitat & Range

This species is native to the Tanimbar Islands in the Maluku province of Indonesia. It inhabits lowland forest, forest edge, and agricultural land, showing some tolerance for cultivated and disturbed habitats.

It is a resident species within its limited island range, with local movement tied to food availability.

Behavior & Field Notes

Goffin's Cockatoos are social birds, often seen foraging in flocks for seeds, fruit, and nuts, including in agricultural fields where they can gather in some numbers. They are known for their inquisitive and adaptable behavior.

They nest in tree hollows and are believed to form long-term pair bonds. Their calls are typical harsh cockatoo screeches, though generally somewhat less piercing than those of larger cockatoo species.