Red-tailed Black Cockatoo

Red-tailed Black Cockatoos are the most widespread of Australia’s “black cockatoos”, the others being the “Glossy Black” (actually dark brown) and “Yellow-tailed Black” found across most of the Australian mainland.

The species conservation status is Least Concern, however two subspecies are threatened; the South-eastern (Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne) is Endangered, and Coastal (Calyptorhynchus banksii banksii) in NSW is Critically Endangered.

Red-tailed blacks are the largest of all Australia’s cockatoos.

Both the males and females have interesting colour markings and look quite different, but are the same species. Males are mostly black with bright red feathers under their tail. Females have orangey-pinkey stripey feathers under their tail and their bodies look like they’re covered in yellow or white stars.

They are mostly seed eaters, while also eating fruit and some insects.

Red-tailed black cockatoos take only one mate their entire life and raise one chick per year. Mum incubates the egg for 90 days, while dad brings her food where both parents feed the chick until it can fly at around 100 days.