Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo

1. Males are black with brilliant red tail panels; females have yellow spots and barring

2. Impressive rounded crest that can be raised and lowered

3. Travels in noisy, conspicuous flocks with distinctive rolling "krrah" calls

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos nest in large tree hollows, where females lay a single egg between March and October, depending on location. Incubation takes about 3 days, with chicks remaining in the nest for 1-12 weeks. Females do all the incubating, but both parents feed the growing chicks. Some populations make seasonal movements in response to changing food availability.

Look for Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos in eucalypt forests and woodlands across mainland Australia. They're often spotted feeding high in trees, though some populations regularly forage on the ground for seeds. Dawn and dusk are prime times to observe them, especially at sunset when flocks fly to roosting sites along rivers or streams. Listen for their loud, distinctive calls that carry across the landscape. Scan treetops for their silhouettes and watch for the flash of red as they fly between feeding areas.

The Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo holds deep significance for many Aboriginal communities across Australia. Known by various names including "Karak" to the Noongar people of Western Australia, these birds feature in cultural stories and seasonal knowledge systems, often signaling changes in weather patterns and food availability.