Calyptorhynchus banksii
The Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, *Calyptorhynchus banksii*, is a magnificent and iconic Australian parrot distinguished by its striking appearance and powerful presence. Males are uniformly glossy black, save for a brilliant red panel in their tail feathers, which is usually only visible in flight or display. They measure approximately 55-65 cm (21.5-25.5 inches) in length and typically weigh between 600-900 grams (1.3-2.0 lbs). Females are easily identified by their yellow-spotted heads and ne...
Predominantly inhabits eucalypt woodlands, riparian forests, and savanna grasslands across varied elevations, favoring areas with large, mature hollow-bearing trees for nesting.
Feeds predominantly on the hard seeds of various eucalypt species (such as Marri, Jarrah, and River Red Gum) and acacias, supplementing this with some insect larvae and occasionally fruits. They employ their robust bills to efficiently extract seeds from tough capsules.
Red-tailed Black Cockatoos are highly social birds, typically observed in pairs or small family groups, though large aggregations of hundreds can form at communal roosts or abundant food sources. They are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging and interacting, often becoming very vocal in...
The Red-tailed Black Cockatoo exhibits a broad, albeit disjunct, distribution across mainland Australia. The nominate subspecies, *C. b. banksii*, spans a vast range from northern Queensland to the Northern Territory. *C. b. macrorhynchus*, often referred to as the Northern Red-tailed Black Cocka...
Least Concern
- The Red-tailed Black Cockatoo possesses one of the strongest bills among all parrot species, allowing it to crack open incredibly hard seed pods inaccessible to most other birds. - These long-lived birds can survive for over 50 years in the wild, with some individuals reported to reach 60-70 ye...