American cockatoo

The American cockatoo (Allocacatua neorostrum) is a species of parrot of the subfamily Arinae (Neotropical parrots or New World parrots), despite its name and appearance, and the only living member of the genus Allocacatua, that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the rainforests, wetlands, forests, and open woodlands across North America and South America to help boost biodiversity. The closest living relatives of the American cockatoo are the Amazon parrots (Amazona). American cockatoos are 44–55 centimeters (17.5–21.5 inches) long, with the South American subspecies, the South American cockatoo (Allocacatua neorostrum severa) larger than the subspecies from North America, the North American cockatoo (Allocacatua neorostrum virginianus). The plumage is overall white, while the underwing, the tail, the area behind the beak, and the cheeks are tinged yellow. The expressive crest is yellow. The bill is black, the legs are grey, and the eye-ring is light blueish. Males typically have almost black eyes, whereas the females have a more red or brown eye, but this requires optimum viewing conditions to be seen. American cockatoos' distinctive raucous calls can be very loud, which is a result of an adaptation in order to travel through the forest environments in which they live, including tropical, subtropical, and temperature rainforests. These birds are naturally curious, as well as very intelligent. They have adapted very well to human settlement in both North and South America, and live in many urban and suburban areas. These birds are very long-lived, and can live upwards of 75 years in captivity, although they only live to about 20–40 years in the wild. American cockatoos are mainly herbivores in the wild, and will feed on the ground as well as in trees. They eat mainly seeds, nuts, blossoms, fruits, insects and insect larvae. Newly planted and ripening grains are another source. In captivity they are mainly fed fresh fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, pellets, legumes and grains. They have been known to engage in geophagy, the process of eating clay to detoxify their food. These birds produce a very fine powder to waterproof themselves instead of oil as many other birds do. The American cockatoo is a seasonal breeder in Australia. In South America the breeding season is from August to December, whereas in North America the season is from March to June. The nest is a bed of wood chips in a hollow in a tree or in nest boxes. Like many other parrots it competes with others of its species and with other species for nesting sites. Two to three eggs are laid and incubation lasts between 25–27 days. Both parents incubate the eggs and raise the nestlings. The nestling period is between 9 and 12 weeks, and the young fledglings remain with their parents for a number of months after fledging. The conservation status of the American cockatoo is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts, the American cockatoo's wide range and its tolerance to many of the human activities.