Found in south-eastern and South Australia the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos - Calyptorhynchus funereus - are Australia's largest parrot at up 65cm. They are regular visitors here - either in family groups or small flocks - and generally munch on the seeds of a tall banksia in front of the verandah. They are also partial to tree boring beetles and moth larva hidden under tree bark and various native seeds. When the group land there seems to be a short, quiet 'discussion' and then a male emerges as appointed lookout and sits on an adjoining tree. The birds are quite nervous and, if I'm too annoying with the camera, the male will start a series of alarm calls that increase in intensity - if I don't back off they all take flight. The adult males have a pink eye ring. Disputes over feeding rights do occur, are very loud, and involve much posturing, but I've seen no real aggression. The yellow-tails are magnificent in the skies with their slow, deep wingbeat and almost prehistoric sounding calls. Across their range, habitat destruction and fragmentation are major issues for this cockatoo, as land clearing contributes to loss of food plants and nesting hollows. Although they have adapted their diet to include seeds of radiata pines in plantations, without corridors of trees to feed and roost on, groups of birds can become isolated. This has happened to a population on Eyre Peninsula, South Australia, that is now considered critically endangered. It feels very special to be close to these birds. They're noisy and - well - mildly destructive but I have planted drooping sheoak and banksia for the future generations that, hopefully, will visit. It's easy to tell when they've been!
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December 2018
January - Superb Fairy-Wren
Feb - Eastern Yellow Robin March - NH Honeyeater April - Crimson Rosella May - Grey Currawong June - Grey Shrike-thrush July - Red-browed Finch Aug - White-browed Babbler Sept - Australian Ringneck Oct - Striated Thornbill Nov-Y-t Black Cockatoo Dec - Australian Magpie |