Palm Cockatoo

1. Massive grey-black bill – the largest of any parrot in the world

2. Bright red patches of bare skin on cheeks that can change intensity

3. Long black crest feathers that sweep backward and can be raised when excited

Palm Cockatoos are famous for their unique "drumming" displays where males select a stick, trim it to size with their bill, then rhythmically tap it against a hollow tree while calling to attract a mate. They're extremely slow breeders, with females typically laying just one egg every 2-3 years. The family stays together after the chick fledges, with devoted parents caring for their single offspring for months.

Look for Palm Cockatoos in and around the rainforests and woodlands of northern Cape York Peninsula, from Pormpuraaw to Princess Charlotte Bay. They're typically active in the early morning and late afternoon, often seen flying above the canopy between feeding and roosting sites. These birds prefer the edges where rainforest meets eucalypt woodland, and are often spotted in pairs perched high in tall trees. Listen for their distinctive whistling calls and watch for their slow, powerful wingbeats as they fly between trees – they're more likely to be heard before they're seen.

Palm Cockatoos have deep cultural significance for the Indigenous peoples of Cape York Peninsula. For the Kuku Yalanji people, these birds feature in stories about the creation of the landscape. Known as "Ngalkal" in some Indigenous languages of Cape York, the Palm Cockatoo's distinctive appearance and behaviors are woven into traditional knowledge systems and seasonal calendars.