Mitchell himself called it the red-top cockatoo. The bird became linked to Major Thomas Mitchell after he described the species in glowing terms in his books on his expeditions, calling it the 'cockatoo of the interior'. 'Pink cockatoo' was its official name (with Major Mitchell as an alternative) in the 1926 official RAOU checklist.

'Major Mitchell's cockatoo' has been designated the official name by the International Ornithologists' Union (IOC). It is here placed in its own monotypic genus Lophochroa, though to include it in Cacatua as others do is not wrong as long as the corellas are also included there. Another indication of the early divergence of this species from the 'white' cockatoo lineage is the presence of features found otherwise only in corellas, such as its plaintive yodeling cry, as well as others which are unique to pink and the true white cockatoos, for example the large crest and rounded wing shape. Indeed, disregarding the crest, Major Mitchell's cockatoo looks almost like a near- leucistic version of that species. Like the galah, this species has not lost the ability to deposit diluted pigment dyes in its body plumage, although it does not produce melanin coloration anymore, resulting in a lighter bird overall compared to the galah. Major Mitchell's cockatoo may be more closely related to Cacatua than is the galah, and that its lineage diverged around the time of or shortly after the acquisition of the long crest probably the former as this crest type is not found in all Cacatua cockatoos, so must have been present in an early or incipient stage at the time of the divergence of the pink cockatoo's ancestors. Citing Lear, William Swainson gave it the name Plyctolophus erythropterus. Edward Lear painted it in his 1832 work Illustrations of the Family of Psittacidae, or Parrots. The scientific name commemorates the London naturalist and taxidermist Benjamin Leadbeater, who had given Vigors what would become the type specimen. Irish naturalist Nicholas Aylward Vigors described the species in 1831 as Plyctolophus leadbeateri.

Major Mitchell's cockatoo ( Lophochroa leadbeateri), also known as Leadbeater's cockatoo or the pink cockatoo, is a medium-sized cockatoo that inhabits arid and semi-arid inland areas of Australia, though it is seen regularly in other climates, for example, South-East Queensland's subtropical region. Tanned leather chew toys, non-toxic food-finder and preening toys, as well as destructible and non-destructible toys help keep their active minds engaged and prevent boredom, feather plucking, or other bad habits.Plyctolophus erythropterus Swainson, 1837 It’s important to provide plenty of unsprayed bird-safe branches and perches to sink their beaks into, such as fir or pine. They enjoy a healthy variety of small seeds, sprouted pulses, lentils, green leaves, vegetables, nuts, and complete kibble.Ĭockatiels require an aviary of 2 m (7 feet) in length, while c ockatoos need larger enclosures a minimum of 7 m (23 feet) where they can stretch their wings, and have access to baths or o verhead misters for bathing. In their natural habitat, cockatoos spend much of their days flying around, foraging for food.

Committing to life with a bird means ensuring their needs are met with regular love and attention, a healthy diet and exercise, and significant mental stimulation. Cockatiels live for approximately 20 years, while cockatoos can actually range between 40 to 60 years in age.

Cockatoo species name