Red-tailed, Bank’s or Banksian Black Cockatoos

Kindly provided by Dr. Rob Marshall – www.birdhealth.com.au

Large flocks of Red Tailed Black Cockatoo are commonly seen in the dry woodland areas of northern Australia. Further south, pairs or smaller family groups frequent Eucalypt forests and savannah woodlands.

These birds are noisy and conspicuous and have a loud raucous call.

The Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus banksii, is one of the rarest and most expensive cage birds, usually costing over $20,000 USD.

Description

The Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is a large black cockatoo with a strong bill and large crest. The plumage of the male is black, with bright red tail panels, giving this bird a striking appearance.

Female and immature birds have yellow spots on the head, neck and wings, yellowish bars across the chest and a paler red band across the tail.

This species can be distinguished from the similar Glossy Black Cockatoo by its greater size, large crest and louder call.

Location and habitat

Distribution

The Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is the most widespread of the Black-Cockatoos, ranging broadly across much of northern and western Australia as well as western Victoria. In NSW, one population occurs on the north-western slopes and plains but another small isolated population is found in the coastal north-east.

Habitat and ecology

• Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos are found in a wide variety of habitats. In coastal north-east NSW they have been recorded in dry open forest and areas of mixed rainforest/eucalypt forest.

Copyright Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) (Note: link removed as non-functioning)

Training and Behavioral Guidance:

Like the Black Cockatoo, the Red Tailed Black demands a significant amount of attention from its owner and therefore should only be purchased by those who are willing to give this highly intelligent bird the love and attention it craves. When deprived of this attention, the Red Tailed Black Cockatoo becomes susceptible to behavioral problems.

Taxonomy:

Genus: English: Black Cockatoos … Dutch: Raafkakatoes … German: Rabenkakadus … French: Cacatoès noir … Species: Scientific: Calyptorhynchus banksii banksii aka Psittacus magnificus / Calyptorhynchus magnificus … English: Red-tailed Black Cockatoos … Dutch: Banks Raafkakatoe, Banks Zwarte-Roodstaartkakatoe … German: Banks Rabenkakadu, Rotschwanzkakadu … French: Cacatoès de Banks

Sub-Species / Races Including Nominate: naso, samueli, macrorhynchus, magnificus

CITES II – Endangered Species … Distribution: Eastern Australia

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Sub-species:

Gould’s Red-tailed Black Cockatoos:

Genus: English: Black Cockatoos … Dutch: Raafkakatoes … German: Rabenkakadus … French: Cacatoès noir

Species: Scientific: Calyptorhynchus macrorhynchus … English: Gould’s Red-tailed Black Cockatoos … Dutch: Goulds Zwarte-Roodstaartkakatoe … German: Goulds Rotschwanz Rabenkakadu … French: Cacatoès quelle rouge de grosbec … CITES II – Endangered Species

Distribution: Northern Australia

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Little Red-tailed Black Cockatoos:

Genus: English: Black Cockatoos … Dutch: Raafkakatoes … German: Rabenkakadus … French: Cacatoès noir

Species: Scientific: Calyptorhynchus naso aka Calyptorhynchus magnificus naso … English: Little Red-tailed Black Cockatoos … Dutch: Kleine Zwarte-Roodstaartkakatoe … German: Kleiner Rabenkakadu … French: Cacatoès de huppe petite à queue rouge … CITES II – Endangered Species

Distribution: South-western Australia

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Mathew’s Red-tailed Black Cockatoos:

Genus: English: Black Cockatoos … Dutch: Raafkakatoes … German: Rabenkakadus … French: Cacatoès noir

Species: Scientific: Calyptorhynchus banksii samueli aka Calyptorhynchus magnificus samueli … English: Mathew’s Red-tailed Black Cockatoos … Dutch: Mathews Zwarte-Roodstaartkakatoe … German: Mathews Rotschwanz Rabenkakadu … French: Cacatoès à queue rouge de Samuel … CITES II – Endangered Species

Distribution: Central Australia

Other Relevant Web Resources:

• Cockatoos as Pets
• Photos of the Different Cockatoo Species (for Identification) …
• Index of Cockatoo Species
• Common Health Problems of Cockatoos
• What is it: Male or Female?
• Cockatoo Species Data (Range, Eggs and Incubation)
• The Taxonomy Of Cockatoos
• Cockatoo Nutrition / Diet

Gaurav Dhir

Gaurav is an animal enthusiast. He lives in beautiful Ontario with his energetic family. As a part of his work at beautyofbirds.com, he has been working with ace parrot trainer, Cassie Malina to understand bird behavior and learn more about how he can train his feathered companions.

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