Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

Red-tailed black cockatoos, (scientific name: Calyptorhynchus banksii) are graceful birds found only in Australia. This sexually dimorphic species exhibits a beautiful crest on their head, and it stays recumbent most of the time. They are prone to shed feathers and hence not suitable for owning by allergic people. Moreover, their frequent noisiness is not recommended for apartment people. Most of these birds are blessed with a long life, so much so, that they can outlive their owners.

Red Tailed Black Cockatoo

Quick Information
Also known as	Banks’ black cockatoo, Banksian, great-billed cockatoo, black cockatoo
Color	Glossy black body and crest. Males have red strokes on tail feathers while females have yellow orange shades on tail feather along with yellow spots on wings, neck, and head. Juveniles look similar to females.
Size	21-25 in (55- 66 cm)
Weight	Males: 24-32 oz (670-920 g), females: 22-31 oz (624-880 g)
Subspecies	C. b. banksii C. b. graptogyne or south-eastern red-tailed black cockatoo C. b. macrorhynchus or great-billed cockatoo C. b. naso or forest red-tailed black cockatoo C. b. samueli
Distribution	Australia
Habitat	Casuarinas and eucalyptus forests, farmland and grasslands, sometimes near cities
Diet	Seeds, fruits, flowers, nectar, larvae, and insects
Breeding season	May-September
Clutch size	1-2 eggs
Incubation period	27-30 days
Fledging	10-12 weeks
Lifespan	50-120 years
IUCN conservation status	Least Concern
Temperament as pets	Inquisitive and active
Maintenance requirement	Regular look after will do
Noise level	Can become extremely loud at times
Talking ability	Low

Forest Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo Bird

As Pets

Housing

Arrange a chain link cage with dimensions of 5ftX8ftX12 so that the bird can easily move inside it, without a hassle. The bar spacing should be minimum 1-1½”. Manzanita perches will be good for your bird. These birds have a strong chewing capacity and chew everything around them, so keep some wooden toys and natural branches in the cage without making it cluttered.

Temperature

Keep your pet in moderate room temperatures, away from drafts and cold air.

Black Cockatoo Red Tail

Forest Red Tailed Black Cockatoo

Behavior and Temperament

Usually, these birds are known for their gentle disposition, rarely causing any problem for their owners. Staying content with foraging toys is not a big deal for them, but when they are outside, placed on furniture, out of their natural instinct, they become curious about the surrounding and try to chew things off. So, to avoid that, keep a playpen in a place where you can keep a watch on your bird.

Feeding

Provide your hand raising pet a pelleted diet along with fruit and nut mix and parrot mix. Whatever veggies and fruits you eat, give it too, but in a fresh condition. Make sure the pet gets required vitamin and mineral through iodine bells and cuttlebones.

Red Tail Black Cockatoo

Red Tailed Black Cockatoo Feather

Care

Cleaning the cage on a regular basis and providing fresh water in every two-three hours are required. Worming is another essential thing that should not be skipped at any cost. Use a bird wormer after every three months.

Health problems

Respiratory infections, psittacosis, and bacterial infections are common ailments of a red-tailed cockatoo. Also, if you see fluffed up feathers, nasal discharge, weird behavior and diarrhea in your pet then take it to your preferred vet.

Price

These pricey birds are available in a range of $800- $3,000 depending on their subspecies.

Red Tailed Black Cockatoos

Red Tailed Black Cockatoo Habitat

Interesting facts

Male red-tailed cockatoos use their crest to allure the females they are willing to mate with.
They are named as such because of the red strokes on the tail that the male birds bear.
South-eastern red-tailed black cockatoos (subspecies) are endangered at present.
Each state of Australia listed the species differently, for example, according to NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act this bird is vulnerable.