Parrot Link

Red Tailed Black Cockatoo

Red Tailed Black Cockatoo
calyptorhynchus banksii

Length: 60-65cms/24-26 inches
Weight: 570-870 grams
Life span: 60+ years
Incubation: 28-30 days
Age at weaning: 12-14 weeks
Age at maturity: 4 years
Natural habitat: Australia

There are five sub-species of Red Tailed Black Cockatoo that inhabit North Australia, New South Wales and Tasmania.  They prefer Eucalyptus stands bordering water courses and Eucalyptus and pine forests.  They can be seen in large, noisy, flocks of birds or in small family groups. They are also found in rainforest areas and sparsely timbered grasslands. 

Their diet consists of tree seeds,  mainly from the stringy bark Eucalyptus, fruit, flowers and insects. 

They are dependant on old, large, Eucalyptus trees for nesting.  Their nest are usually found high up in a hollow of a tree, but they have been known to nest as low as 2 metres from the ground.  Both the male and female prepare the nest, lining it with chewed wood.  A normal clutch is two eggs but usually only one chick, the first to hatch, will survive.  Red Tailed Black Cockatoos are protected in Australia.

The plumage of the male Red Tailed Black Cockatoo is all black except for a red bar each side of his tail.  His beak is dark grey and legs brownish black.  The plumage of the female Red Tailed Black Cockatoo is mostly brownish black.  Her upper parts are stippled and lower parts barred in yellow, turning almost orange on her chest.  The bars on either side of her tail are an orangey yellow barred with dark brown.  Her beak is a lighter grey and her legs brownish black.

Interesting fact:  The Red Tailed Black Cockatoo is also know as Banks's Black Cockatoo, and was named after Sir James Banks who sailed on Cook's Voyage 1768-1771.

Be the first to rate this page.