Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

## Description

The red-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii ) also known as Banksian- or Banks' black cockatoo, is a large black cockatoo native to Australia. Adult males have a characteristic pair of bright red panels on the tail that gives the species its name. It is more common in the drier parts of the continent. Five subspecies are recognised, differing chiefly in beak size. Although the more northerly subspecies are widespread, the two southern subspecies, the forest red-tailed black cockatoo and the south-eastern red-tailed black cockatoo are under threat.

The species is usually found in eucalyptus woodlands, or along water courses. In the more northerly parts of the country, these cockatoos are commonly seen in large flocks. They are seed eaters and cavity nesters, and as such depend on trees with fairly large diameters, generally *Eucalyptus*. Populations in southeastern Australia are threatened by deforestation and other habitat alterations. Of the black cockatoos, the red-tailed is the most adaptable to aviculture, although black cockatoos are much rarer and much more expensive in aviculture outside Australia.

## Appearance

The Red-tailed black cockatoo is a large cockatoo native to Australia. It has a crest that forms a helmet when the bird raises it and pushes it forward. Adult males have a characteristic pair of bright red panels on the tail that gives the species its name. The female has duller plumage with yellow spots on her head, wings, and neck. Her underbody has bars of pale orange-yellow with orange-yellow panels on the tail, barred black.

## Distribution

Red-tailed black cockatoos occur in Australia and are more widespread in the northern drier parts of the continent. They are not wholly migratory, but they do exhibit regular seasonal movements in different parts of Australia. These birds live in open country as well as forests. They prefer Eucalyptus woodlands and riverside trees but can also live in a wide variety of habitats, including subtropical rainforest, farmland with scattered Eucalyptus, or grasslands with scattered trees.

## Behavior

Red-tailed black cockatoos are diurnal and raucous and are often to be seen flying in small flocks high overhead, sometimes alongside other cockatoos. Flocks as big as 500 are usually seen only in the north or concentrated at a food source. They depart from their communal roost early in the morning to drink at a regular place, then disperse widely to feed. They remain sheltered in the foliage around the middle of the day and return to the feeding areas late in the afternoon. The flock returns to its roosting trees near water at the close of the day. In central and northern Australia, the cockatoo feeds in trees or on the ground. Southern species feed mostly in the trees. These cockatoos are not wholly migratory, but they do exhibit regular seasonal movements in different parts of Australia.

## Diet

These cockatoos are herbivores (granivores) and eat mainly seeds. However, they will also consume fruits, nuts, bulbs, flowers, and insects. Favorite seeds are eucalypts, acacias, casuarinas, and banksias.

## Reproduction

The Red-tailed black cockatoo is monogamous, mating for life. If it happens that one patner disappears, the other may choose not to mate again. Mating takes place usually between May and September except for the south-eastern bird, which nests during the summer (December to February). The cockatoo nests in tree hollows or in dead trees, and they must be tall trees. They line the hollow with decayed and chewed wood. The female lays 1 egg, occasionally 2. Only 1 chick will be raised. Incubation is carried out just by the female, for about 28 to 30 days. The female is fed by the male during incubation. The chick is fed by both parents. The young depends on its parents for food for about 3 months. It may fledge at about 100 days of age when it has reached adult size. Reproductive maturity is reached within about 4 years.

## Population

### Population threats

As with many Australian parrots, the cockatoo is threatened by bird smuggling and is the most often observed in captivity. Other threats are habitat modification, clearing for forestry and agriculture or forestry, urban development, and also climate change.

### Population number

According to IUCN, the Red-tailed black cockatoo population is believed to be in excess of 100,000 individuals. The Northern subspecies of Red-tailed black cockatoo is widespread and is not considered endangered. Just in the Northern Territory, there are about 60,000 birds. The Southeastern subspecies, however, is considered endangered. In 2001 there were estimated to be only 650-1000 birds in the population, including 500-770 adults. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are decreasing.

## Domestication

In the late 1990s, red-tailed black cockatoos fetched prices of $1750 in Australia and $8900 (~US$6000) overseas. Hand-raised birds can be bought for anywhere between $15,000 to $40,000 in the United States, where they are seldom seen in aviculture. Hand-reared birds are able to learn a few words and can be quite affectionate, although males may become imprinted and unlikely to breed. The red-tailed black cockatoo is the most commonly seen of the black cockatoos in captivity, and can be hardy and long-lived if given plenty of space. Until now, most birds in captivity have been of subspecies C. b. banksii and C. b. samueli. Birds were often previously bred without much attention to subspecies of origin. However, with an increase in interest in conservation, more aviculturists are concerned about maintaining the integrity of the separate subspecies in cultivation, and so avoid crossbreeding.

The birds breed easily in captivity and can lay eggs every 3 weeks between February and November. Once the female has one egg in her nest, she will not lay another. An egg takes about 30 days to hatch. The eyes of the young open around 3 weeks and the yellow down will show black pin feathers at about 6 weeks. The best time for hand raising is at about 10 weeks when their black feathers are in place but the tail feathers are still short. Young birds fledge after about 4 months and both sexes have the colouring of their mother. Mature male birds will become aggressive to young male birds at puberty (4 years); they must be separated if caged.

The large and powerful bills of these birds can quickly and easily open a Brazil nut (normally requiring crushing in a vise or pounding with a hammer), shearing it as neatly as a laser. They can also demolish a whole coconut with husk in 3 days.

Captive breeding guidelines may be found in *Husbandry Guidelines for the Red-tailed Black Cockatoo* (Bennett, 2008).

## Fun Facts for Kids

The Red-tailed black cockatoo is named to honor the scientist Sir James Banks.

Some Australians believe this cockatoo brings rain and are happy to see it for this reason.

These cockatoos are the biggest of Australian parrots.

Cockatoos' beaks are very strong and they use them to break open very hard seeds of gum trees.

## References

https://animalia.bio/red-tailed-black-cockatoo