Object Status:
Extant
Accession Date:
By 1799
Primary Source Reference:
Charles Willson Peale, Lecture on Natural History 16. (ca. 1799). Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Archives, coll. 40. / https://ansp.org/research/library/archives/0000-0099/coll0040/
Additional Source Text:
Charles Willson Peale (1741-1827) wrote, in his 16th Lecture (ca. 1799): "Yellow-crested Cockatoo. Of this species, there are two branches, differing in size [i.e., two species: C. galerita = larger; C. sulphurea = smaller; presumably both were mounted in Peale's Museum]. In both the plumage is white, with a yellow cast under the wings and tail, and the spots of the same colour round the eyes; the crest is yellow saffron, consisting of long soft feathers, which the bird elevates and projects; the bill and feet are black. It was a cockatoo of this species, that Aldrovandus described, of which he admired the elegance and beauty. It is as intelligent, gentle, and docile, as the proceeding [i.e., Salmon-crested Cockatoo C. moluccensis]." (Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University Archives, coll. 40)
Peale continued: "Buffon further says, it expresses joy by shaking its head briskly several times up and down, making a slight cracking with its bill, and displaying its elegant crest. It returns the caresses, touches the face with its tongue, and seems to lick it; the kisses are soft and gentle. It answers its call, and retires when he is commanded, in which case it discovers anxiety, often looking back for the sign of invitation. It is exceedingly neat; all its motions are graceful, delicate and pretty. It feeds on fruits, […], all the farinaceous grains, on pastry, eggs, milk, and whatever is sweet, but not too sugary. Psittacus sulphureus Gmel. Addition of Linn. Le Kakatou a Huppe Jaune." (ANSP Archives, coll. 40)
A "Yellow crested Coctatoo [sic] presented by Mr. Philip Snelbecker" in January 1815, as recorded in the Peale Museum Accessions Book, p. 75 (Historical Society of Pennsylvania, coll. 0481), may have been this species or Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita).
Specimen Type:
Dead/preserved
Current Common Name:
Yellow-crested Cockatoo
Current Scientific Name
Cacatuidae | Cacatua sulphurea
