Black Cockatoo

The Black Cockatoos seen around Sydney are usually either the Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus) or the smaller Glossy Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami).The Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo is easily identified by its yellow cheek patch and yellow panels on the tail. The female has a larger yellow cheek patch and pale grey eye-ring while the male has a pink eye-ring. They are found in south-eastern Australia, from Eyre Peninsular in South Australia to central eastern Queensland, growing to an average size of about 60 cm. Mainly inhabiting open eucalypt woodland and pine plantations, they feed in small to large, noisy flocks. The favoured food is seeds of native trees (such as casuarinas, hakeas and banksias) and pinecones. Some insects and grubs are also eaten. Normally nesting in a large tree hollow, the female alone incubates the 1 or 2 white eggs laid, while the male supplies her with food. Usually only one chick survives, staying in the care of its parents for about six months. Loss of food supply and nest sites due to clearing of native habitat has seen a rapid decline in numbers in recent years.

(Source - Katandra Bushland News (2012 Winter Edition)