There are two other Black Cockatoo species in Victoria, the ‘Red-tailed’ in the west and the ‘Glossy’ in the east. Both are rare and in decline due to habitat loss. The ‘Yellow-tailed’ is more widespread with a ‘Secure’ conservation status. Like Sulphur-crested cockatoos, these cocky’s have very strong beaks which they use to rip open tree branches for grubs, she-oak pods for seeds and pine cones for nuts.

Their breeding range is restricted to areas with large old trees in grassy woodlands, forests, heathlands, sub-alpine areas, pine plantations, and occasionally in urban areas. Nesting in vertical hollows in tall trees, they lay one or two white eggs between October and February.

Size: 55-65cm

Photo: Mark Trinham. Illustration: Mark Trinham.