Its precipitous decline is almost entirely attributable to unsustainable exploitation for internal and international trade. The capture of Yellow-crested Cockatoo for trade has undoubtedly been the most critical factor in its population decline over the past three decades, and is the key factor that limits its recovery. Large-scale logging and con- version of forest to agriculture across its range has exacerbated the decline, and the use of pesticides since around 1989 is a further potential threat. At least formerly, the species was regarded as a crop-pest, and consequently persecuted. High rainfall years appear to limit productivity considerably resulting in very low recruitment. Conversely, rainfall on Komodo has been low in recent years leading to limited availability of water sources. Competition for cavity nest sites with other parrots and owls in large trees (those by logging activities) leads to low productivity.