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Description

Species Name: Red-tailed Black Cockatoo

Species Latin Name: Calyptorhynchus banksii

Sub Species Names:

Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso – Vulnerable)

South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne – Endangered)

Great-billed Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii macrorhynchus)

Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii & Calyptorhynchus banksii samueli)

Native To: Australia

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Photo Taken At: Healesville

Size (length): 60cm (23.6 inches)

Weight: 615-920g (21.7-32.5oz)

Lifespan: 25-50 Years

Top Speed: 70km/h (43.5 m/h)

Population Size: 100,000 (As of 2021)

Description:

These large birds are covered in a black plumage of feathers. The females of these species will have distinctive yellow tips on the edges of the black feathers which look like yellow spots. As the name suggests these birds will have brightly coloured patterns on their tail feathers, the females will feature more orange coloured feathers where as the males will feature more of a bright red pattern on their tail feathers. These birds have large grey beaks as well as strong grey feet and legs. The birds have brown eyes with a black pupil.

Diet:

The main diet of these birds consist mostly of seeds which mainly what they extract from the hard seed pods of eucalyptus, casuarinas, and banksias. They will eat other seeds as well both native and imported and will sometimes eat insect larvae which they can obtain by treating apart the branches of trees using their large beaks. In some locations these birds can be rather picky about which seed/food they will eat.

Behaviour:

These birds like other cockatoo species can be rather loud and noisy. They are often seen flying in small to large flocks sometimes with other species of cockatoo, the flock sizes can reach up to 500 birds. The red tail on the male cockatoo is used in their mating ritual where the male Red-tailed Black cockatoo will puff up his feathers and hide his beak. The male cockatoo will then sing and strut before completing the ritual with a jump whilst flashing the red tail feathers towards the female. These birds are monogamous and will often mate for one, if one of the mates of a pair disappears or dies the other may choose not to mate again. These birds will lay their eggs in hallows of trees and the mother will usually lay a single egg, sometimes a second egg may be laid but only 1 hatch-ling will be raised till maturity.

Threats to the species:

The sub species South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo ( Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne) are listed as endangered and is one of the smallest of the Red-tailed Black cockatoo Species. Their numbers have been noted to increase from 1000 in 2007 to 1500 in June 2012. Currently this sub species of bird are listed as endangered on the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 of South Australia.

On a general basis it seems that the population trend for these birds are decreasing however, generally these birds are listed as Least Concern on their conservation status. One of the major population threats include bird smuggling which impacts many other parrot species in Australia. Other threats include habitat lost due to habitat modification, clearing of forestry for agriculture, forestry, and urban development.

Further Reading (general information):

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-tail…

Birdlife: www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profi…

Animalia: animalia.bio/red-tailed-cockat…

Australian Museum: australian.museum/learn/animal…

Description

Species Name: Red-tailed Black Cockatoo

Species Latin Name: Calyptorhynchus banksii

Sub Species Names:

Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso – Vulnerable)

South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne – Endangered)

Great-billed Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii macrorhynchus)

Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii & Calyptorhynchus banksii samueli)

Native To: Australia

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Photo Taken At: Healesville

Size (length): 60cm (23.6 inches)

Weight: 615-920g (21.7-32.5oz)

Lifespan: 25-50 Years

Top Speed: 70km/h (43.5 m/h)

Population Size: 100,000 (As of 2021)

Description:

These large birds are covered in a black plumage of feathers. The females of these species will have distinctive yellow tips on the edges of the black feathers which look like yellow spots. As the name suggests these birds will have brightly coloured patterns on their tail feathers, the females will feature more orange coloured feathers where as the males will feature more of a bright red pattern on their tail feathers. These birds have large grey beaks as well as strong grey feet and legs. The birds have brown eyes with a black pupil.

Diet:

The main diet of these birds consist mostly of seeds which mainly what they extract from the hard seed pods of eucalyptus, casuarinas, and banksias. They will eat other seeds as well both native and imported and will sometimes eat insect larvae which they can obtain by treating apart the branches of trees using their large beaks. In some locations these birds can be rather picky about which seed/food they will eat.

Behaviour:

These birds like other cockatoo species can be rather loud and noisy. They are often seen flying in small to large flocks sometimes with other species of cockatoo, the flock sizes can reach up to 500 birds. The red tail on the male cockatoo is used in their mating ritual where the male Red-tailed Black cockatoo will puff up his feathers and hide his beak. The male cockatoo will then sing and strut before completing the ritual with a jump whilst flashing the red tail feathers towards the female. These birds are monogamous and will often mate for one, if one of the mates of a pair disappears or dies the other may choose not to mate again. These birds will lay their eggs in hallows of trees and the mother will usually lay a single egg, sometimes a second egg may be laid but only 1 hatch-ling will be raised till maturity.

Threats to the species:

The sub species South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo ( Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne) are listed as endangered and is one of the smallest of the Red-tailed Black cockatoo Species. Their numbers have been noted to increase from 1000 in 2007 to 1500 in June 2012. Currently this sub species of bird are listed as endangered on the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 of South Australia.

On a general basis it seems that the population trend for these birds are decreasing however, generally these birds are listed as Least Concern on their conservation status. One of the major population threats include bird smuggling which impacts many other parrot species in Australia. Other threats include habitat lost due to habitat modification, clearing of forestry for agriculture, forestry, and urban development.

Further Reading (general information):

Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red-tail…

Birdlife: www.birdlife.org.au/bird-profi…

Animalia: animalia.bio/red-tailed-cockat…

Australian Museum: australian.museum/learn/animal…