Story: Introduced land birds

Chico the cockatoo

Although there is now a population of wild sulphur-crested cockatoos, they were originally brought to New Zealand as caged birds and some, such as Chico, are tethered pets. Chico perched on owner Robert Nelson’s shoulder while he cycled around Lower Hutt and Petone. His owner taught him English phrases such as ‘Chico wants a scratch, scratch, scratch’.

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1986/1831/29A
Photograph by Stuart Ramson

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Sound file from the Department of Conservation

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How to cite this page:

Christina Troup, 'Introduced land birds - Cockatoos and rosellas', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/natural-sounds/17143/chico-the-cockatoo (accessed 20 April 2024)

Story by Christina Troup, published 24 Nov 2008, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015