The Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus funereus, is a large cockatoo native to the south-east of Australia. It is found from Eyre Peninsula to south and central eastern Queensland. In some places at least, they appear to have adapted to humans and can be often seen in many parts of urban Sydney and Melbourne.

Although not particularly common, they are one of the most well-loved and characteristic birds of southern Australia. They are usually seen flying at only moderate height. They have particularly large wings and flap deeply, very slowly, and with a peculiar heavy, fluid motion. Their loud, eerie wailing calls carry for long distances, and the combination of sound and silhouette is unmistakable.

Adult birds are between 55 and 65 cm in length, black overall with paler feather-margins and patches of pale yellow in the tail. The male bird (illustrated at right) has a black bill, a dull yellow patch behind the eye, and a reddish eye-ring. Females and immatures have a grey eye-ring, a light-coloured bill, and a brighter, more clearly-defined yellow cheek-patch.

Their natural food is varied, but much of the diet comprises seeds of native trees, particularly she-oak (Casuarina) but also Eucalyptus, Acacia, Banksia and Hakea. They are very fond of the larvae of tree-boring beetles and moths, and strip the bark from the trees and tear away at the wood to find them.

The yellow-tailed black cockatoos have a long breeding season. Both sexes construct the nest, which is a large tree hollow, lined with wood chips. The female alone incubates one or two eggs, while the male supplies the food. Usually only one chick survives, and it stays in the care of its parents for about six months.

References

• Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern

• Flegg, Jim. Birds of Australia: Photographic Field Guide Sydney: Reed New Holland, 2002. (ISBN 1876334789)
• Crome, F. and Shields, J. Parrots & Pigeons of Australia 1992 Angus and Robertson and the National Photographic Index of Australian Wildlife, Sydney.

Cacatuidae | Birds of Australia

External links

• ParrotScience - cockatoo heavy information site
• Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo videos on the Internet Bird Collection

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