Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Cacatua galerita

 

Appearance:
Large cockatoo
Mostly white
Yellow, forwarded-curving crest
Yellow undertail and underwing
Black bill
Grey legs
White eye-ring
Male:
    Black eyes
Female:
    Reddish-brown eyes



These birds are impossible to miss with their extremely loud screeching. They seem to be rather plentiful, often congregating in large flocks.  I have seen them everywhere in Tasmania, both feeding on the ground and in trees. Apparently they like walnuts, or at least that was what one gentleman told me as he angrily shooed a very large number of them out of his yard.  It's hard to imagine such beautiful birds being considered pest.  

Learn more about the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo.

Galah

Cacatua roseicapilla

Appearance:
Pink head, neck and underparts 
Light pink crown
Grey back, wings and rump
Off-white bill
Grey legs
Male:
     Dark brown irises
Female:
     Mid-brown or red irises

I photographed these birds in the parking lot at Tasmania's Boat Harbour Beach, which might just be the most beautiful beach I have ever seen. Honestly, it was absolutely gorgeous -- secluded and quiet.  Well, except for the Galah. They were congregating there in a noisy feeding flock.

Learn more about the Galah.

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo

Calyptorhynchus funereus
 

Appearance: 
Large cockatoo
Short crest on top of head
Black plumage
Pale yellow tail band
Male:
    - black bill
    - pinkish-red eye-ring
   - dull yellow cheek patches
Female:
    - bone-coloured bill
    - grey eye-ring]
    - bright yellow cheek patches



 

This is another one of Maria Island's noisy residents. A pair of these birds were wailing and screeching as they
flew from tree to tree in search of food. The adults are normally quiet when feeding, but these ones made very loud 'munching' sounds as they ate the cone-like seeds/fruit.


Learn more about the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo.