FAMILY NAME: Cacatuidae SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cacatua galerita SUBSPECIES: fitzroyi.
SIZE: 44cm to 51cm. (18" to 20") tip to tail.
LOCATION: Found throughout the eastern third of Australia, and across the north, and also in Tasmania. In Western Australia, there is an introduced population. They are very adaptable to a wide variety of habitats.
BREEDING: In the south, the breeding season is from August to January, and from May to September in the north. Clutch sizes are from 2 to 3, laid in a nest located in a tree hollow, or a hole in a cliff face. Both sexes nest build, incubate the eggs and care for the young. Family groups are formed and stay together.
GENERAL: A large and very noisy Cockatoo, that can be very long lived, up to 80 years in captivity. Both sexes have a similar appearance, although the male haas a dark brown iris, whilst the female has a red/brown iris. Feeding takes place in trees and on the ground, and consists of seeds, berries, roots and nuts. They will also chew branches, to keep their bills trimmed. Large numbers around houses can be very annoying with their screetching, and can destroy timberwork on buildings.
References:
Michael Morecombe.
Field Guide to Australian Birds, Complete Compact Edtion.Ken Simpson - Nicholas Day.
The Birds of Australia.M. Blakers - S. J. J. F. Davies - P. N. Reilly.
The Atlas of Australian Birds.Birds in Backyards.
www.birdsinbackyards.netGraham Pizzey - Frank Knight.
The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia.
