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Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo

(Calyptorhynchus banksii)
Alternative names: "Banks's Black Cockatoo", "Banksian Black Cockatoo"
Aboriginal name: "wyralla"
Size: 50-65 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

There are five races of Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos that populate different parts of the Australian continent - for details consult a field guide. Nominate race "banksii" is found basically only in QLD, except the south-western corner of the state. Along the tropical north of Australia, from the southern tip of the Gulf of Carpentaria in the east to about the Kimberleys in the west, and across the northern half of the NT, race "macrorhynchus" is found. In the western half of WA (except a narrow coastal strip and the south-western corner) race "samueli" is found. This inland race is also found in the arid centre, in the border regions between the NT, SA and QLD, and also along parts of the Darling River (notably in Walgett, NSW) and some of its tributaries. Race "naso" is found only in the south-western corner of WA and race "graptogyne" in the coastal region near the SA/VIC border.

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos can be found in various types of forest, from open to dense, often with Cypress and/or Black Pine. They also go into areas with human activity (farms, parks) to feed on other seedcones, such as e.g. those of the White Cedar tree.

Sightings

Race "samueli" was spotted by us for the first time on a trip to western NSW in March 2008. There were tens of birds along the banks of the Darling River in the township of Bourke alone and many more on the way further towards southwest, following the river.

In October 2010 there were at least 100 birds in the township of Walgett, western NSW, feasting on the previous year's white cedar fruit.

Some of the photos presented below were taken in captivity, with kind permission of the breeder.

Twitcher's tip

If you see black cockatoos with red tail markings in a group of only a few, it is likely that you are looking at Glossy Black-Cockatoos. If they come in a big flock, they are likely Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos.

Photos

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Race "samueli"

Frontal view of a male Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo

Frontal view of a female Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo

Female Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo in flight

Portrait of a male Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo ready to mate

Lateral portrait of a male Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo displaying its crest

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Dispersive Elementary unit: Flock

Twitcher's tip

If you observe cockatoos with red tails that come in a large flock and have pronounced crests, you are looking at Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos. If, on the other hand, you encounter a small group of 2-6 birds and their crests are inconspicuous, you are most likely observing a clan of Glossy Black-Cockatoos.

Food

Like basically all cockatoos, Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos are seed-eaters, where seeds include those in cones and nut-like fruit, for example that of the White Cedar tree.