Calyptorhynchus funereus

(Birds of Drouin and District booklet P36)

Description

Size: 55-60cm

All black, large cockatoo with yellow cheek patches and yellow tail panels. Sexes are similar but the male has a black bill, smaller, duller cheek patch and a red iris.

Call

Far-carrying ‘whee-la’, particularly in flight. Loud alarm screech. Raspy grinding begging sound from fledglings.

Distribution

South-east of the mainland including Tas.

Nesting

Uses large tree hollows in which to nest. Breeds from November to January. Usually only one offspring.

Habits

Can be seen as pairs or family trios and often flying over in small to large flocks. Tears out large grubs from trunks and branches of acacias, eucalypts and casuarinas. Also eats the fruit of eucalypts, hakeas, pines and banksias. Found in wet and dry forests and woodlands, roadside corridors and more frequently, urban parks and gardens. Common, abundant at times, highly nomadic.