Palm Cockatoo |
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Also known as: Cape York Cockatoo, Great Palm Cockatoo, Great Black Cockatoo, Goliath Cockatoo
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Palm Cockatoo
© Steve Murphy and Brian Venables
Photos
View in GalleryDid You Know?
The Palm Cockatoo's nesting behaviour is unique amongst cockatoos in that it builds a platform of twigs inside its nest cavity.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Probosciger aterrimusSpecies Profile
Genus: Probosciger | Species: aterrimus
Size:
51-64cm (20 in)
Weight:
910-1200g (31.8-42 oz)
Subspecies including nominate:
four: P.a. aterrimus, P.a. goliath, P.a. stenolophus, P.a. macgillivrayi
Colour Adult:
P.a. aterrimus: Both adults in general black with powder from down giving a grey appearance; crimson bare cheek-patches and gape; thighs bare and blue/grey. Large black bill, smaller in female. Tongue red tipped with black. Eye ring grey, eye dark brown.
P.a. macgillivrayi: Both adults as in aterrimus but larger in size.
P.a. goliath: Both adults as in macgillivrayi but larger in size.
P.a. stenolophus: Both adults as in goliath but crest feathers much narrower.
Colour Juvenile:
As in adults but with pale yellow edging to feathers of underparts; shorter crest. Smaller bill tipped with white. Eye ring white.
Call:
Vocal bird with many calls. Higher pitched than Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. Most frequent call wavering whistle. Some calls racous and loud.
Listen NowMore Information:
Content Sources:
CITES
BirdLife International
Palm Cockatoo Husbandry Manual
Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Birds of the World
A Guide to Parrots of the World, Juniper and Parr, 1998
Parrots of the World, Forshaw and Cooper, 1989. 2010 edition
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006.
Parrots in Aviculture, Low, 1992.
Parrots: Their Care and Breeding, Low, 1986.
Palm Cockatoo
© Steve Murphy and Brian Venables
Photos
View in GalleryDid You Know?
The Palm Cockatoo's nesting behaviour is unique amongst cockatoos in that it builds a platform of twigs inside its nest cavity.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Probosciger aterrimusSpecies Care
Captive Status:
Uncommon
Longevity:
40-60 yrs
Housing:
Walk-in aviary, minimum length 7m (23 ft).
Diet:
Nuts, including walnuts, almonds and pine nuts; sunflower seed, wheat, maize and fresh corn; green leaves and fruit (except orange) are not eaten by many birds; nutritionally complete kibble.
Enrichment:
Bird-safe chewables (wood, sterilized pine cones), fir boughs, ladders, large link chains (durable plastic) swings, bathing.
Nest Box Size:
1.5m (5 ft) high and 38cm (15 in) in diameter (log).
Clutch Size:
one
Incubation Time:
30-35 days
Fledging Age:
80 days
Hatch Weight:
18g (0.6 oz)
Peak Weight:
600-900g (21-31.5 oz), depending on subspecies.
Weaning Weight:
About 600-900g (21-31.5 oz), depending on subspecies.
Palm Cockatoo
© Steve Murphy and Brian Venables
Photos
View in GalleryDid You Know?
The Palm Cockatoo's nesting behaviour is unique amongst cockatoos in that it builds a platform of twigs inside its nest cavity.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Probosciger aterrimusSpecies Wild Status
World Population:
Unknown, decreasing.
IUCN Red List Status:
Least Concern
CITES Listing:
Appendix I
Threat Summary:
Not globally threatened. Ongoing habitat loss and illegal trapping for trade are the main threats. Increasing numbers of bush fires are contributing to the loss of suitable nest trees. Is hunted for food in New Guinea and possibly Cape York, with high rates of nestling predation in Papua New Guinea. A low reproductive rate in Australia suggests that the species is at risk long-term.
Range:
P.a. aterrimus: Misool, in W Papuan Islands and Aru Islands, Indonesia.
P.a. macgillivrayi: S New Guinea between Fly and Balim Rivers, and Cape York Peninsula, N Queensland, Australia, south on east coast to Princess Charlotte Bay and on west coast to Edward River
P.a. goliath: W Papuan Islands, except Misool, Indonesia, and C New Guinea from Vogelkop, Irian Jaya, east to SE Papua New Guinea.
P.a. stenolophus: Japen Island in Geelvink Bay, Irian Jaya, and N New Guinea from Mamberamo River east to Collingwood Bay, SE Papua New Guinea.
Habitat:
Lowland; in New Guinea found in rainforest, forest edge, monsoon woodland, tall secondary growth. Up to 1350m (4428 ft).
Wild Diet:
Diet includes a wide variety of seeds, nuts, fruits, berries and leaf buds. Pandanus palm nuts, Castanospermum australe, and seeds of Terminalia kaernbachii and Canarium all favoured.
Ecology and Behaviour:
Conspicuous, lordly in behaviour. Travel singly or in pairs, or in parties of five or six. Calling begins at sunrise. Males display intensely in their territorial behaviour.
Clutch and Egg Size:
1 elliptical egg, 50.0 x 37.0mm (2 x 1.4 in).
Breeding Season:
July-March; nest is in high hollow in trunk of living or dead tree.
Related Links:
Wikipedia
Research: The gradual loss and episodic creation of Palm Cockatoo nest sites in a fire-and-cyclone-prone habitat
Palm Cockatoo
© Steve Murphy and Brian Venables
Photos
View in GalleryDid You Know?
The Palm Cockatoo's nesting behaviour is unique amongst cockatoos in that it builds a platform of twigs inside its nest cavity.Programs & Projects
WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn moreAcademic Research
Related publications: Probosciger aterrimusMembers Only Resources
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