Chapter IV Palm Cockatoo Behavior and Social Organization by Pat Rider and Mike Taylor from the White Oak Conservation Center Behavior.
Palm cockatoos have a complex system of calls, displays, and other behaviors unique to the species.
They incorporate these vocalizations, displays and behaviors into a rich, complex vocabulary in order to communicate in their heavily forested environment and to maintain the social organization of their family groups and flocks. In captivity, much of this natural vocabulary is not learned and other behaviors are developed independently. Close observation of captive birds is necessary to determine behavioral changes that may indicate illness, aggression, societal disharmony, etc. This call is used in flight to, and while displaying at, a congregating tree. See Congregation Display and Social Organization below.