![]() ![]() The five large black-coloured cockatoos of the genus Calyptorhynchus form one branch. ![]() The remaining species are in two main clades. The phylogenetic position of the cockatiel remains unresolved, except that it is one of the earliest offshoots of the cockatoo lineage. On average they are larger than other parrots however, the cockatiel, the smallest cockatoo species, is a small bird. Their plumage is generally less colourful than that of other parrots, being mainly white, grey or black and often with coloured features in the crest, cheeks or tail. The family has a mainly Australasian distribution, ranging from the Philippines and the eastern Indonesian islands of Wallacea to New Guinea, the Solomon Islands and Australia.Ĭockatoos are recognisable by the prominent crests and curved bills. Along with the Psittacoidea ( true parrots) and the Strigopoidea (large New Zealand parrots), they make up the order Psittaciformes. Other native species seen here occasionally include Little Lorikeet (29), Musk Lorikeet (7), Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (3), Purple-crowned Lorikeet (1), Australian Ringneck (15), Swift Parrot (10), Red-capped Parrot (2), Regent Parrot (2), Turquoise Parrot (1), and Princess Parrot (1).A cockatoo is any of the 21 species of parrots belonging to the family Cacatuidae, the only family in the superfamily Cacatuoidea. Most parrots (Family Pscittacidae) seen in Canberra are brightly coloured birds, the most common being the Crimson Rosella, Eastern Rosella and Red-rumped Parrot, as well as the Australian King-Parrot in the cooler months. Canberra is included within the range of the latter, which are occasionally sighted on the slopes of Mount Ainslie, but is well outside the range of the three which would be either vagrant or escaped birds. There have been occasional recordings in the Garden Bird Survey of many other species, including Cockatiel (63), Long-billed Corella (26), Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo (16) and Glossy Black-Cockatoo (9). The Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo is also present. Sulphur-crested and Gang-gang Cockatoos and Galahs are the most common in Canberra while the Little Corella has established itself in recent years in inner Canberra suburbs. Their loud, often raucous calls are soon recognised. In the winter flocks of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and Galahs can be seen digging up onion-weed bulbs and other vegetable matter along the sides of arterial roads.Ĭockatoos (Family Cacatuidae) are large birds with distinctive plumage and mobile crests. Cockatoos in particular are fairly sociable, sometimes gathering in large flocks. Lorikeets, which are uncommon in Canberra, are mainly nectar feeders. ![]() The abundance of food from these sources may have led to population increases of several species. They can be attracted to suburban gardens if food is provided and are also drawn by the fruit and seeds of trees such as apples, plums, cherries, and the seeds of hawthorn, firethorn and cotoneaster and both native and exotic conifers. Most nest in tree hollows.Ĭockatoos and parrots mainly eat seeds, but many are also attracted to fruit, and sometimes eat insects and insect larvae. They have short muscular legs, and feet with two toes forward and two back, very suitable for climbing and grasping. The birds of these two families have powerful curved bills which can be used for many purposes, including (according to species): opening tough seed capsules of eucalypts and casuarinas manipulating seeds, fruit and insects digging and tearing wood and other hard objects. Visitors to Canberra often express surprise and delight with Canberra’s cockatoos and parrots being such a visible and audible feature of the bird life of the national capital. Long-billed Corellas by Julian Robinson Families Cacatuidae and Psittacidae ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |