White tailed Black Cockatoo
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PO  Box 126 Mitcham Vic 3132 ( Victoria, Australia )

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. white tailed black cockatoo
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    photo of white tailed black cockatoo
  • An Australian Parrot                             (Click on photo to enlarge)
  • Scientific Name: 1... Calyptorhynchus baudinii latirostris - Short billed White tailed Cockatoo, and 2...Calyptorhynchus baudinii - Long billed White tailed Cockatoo.
  • Common Name/s: 1... CARNABY'S WHITE TAILED BLACK COCKATOO.  2... BAUDIN'S WHITE TAILED BLACK COCKATOO.
  • Sub Species in country / area of origin:  Long billed and Short billed.
  • Origin / Distribution:  South- western portion of Western Australia.
  • Habitat In Wild:  Baudin's - Breed in Karri forests.  Inhabit forests but will forage in farmlands and orchards.  Carnaby's - Breed in Eucalypt forests.  During the non-breeding season the birds inhabit a wide range of habitats including urban parks, gardens, farmlands and orchards.
  • Status In Wild:  Carnaby's - Declining due to loss of habitat and suitable nesting trees. May be endangered.  Baudin's - has a more secure future.
  • Status In (Australian) Captivity:  Rare.  Least common of the Red/White/Yellow tailed black Cockatoos.
  • Age To Sexual Maturity:  about  4 years
  • Lifespan (estimate): approx. 25 or more years.   Could reach 50 years of age.
  • Sexing: Monomorphic / Dimorphic
  • Colour mutations:  None
  • Availability:  Few available and not bred very often in captivity.
  • Temperament:  Difficult to breed. Least aggressive of the Black Cockatoos.
  • Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour (Approx.) $3000
  • Description Of Adults:
  1. Length: Approx. 550 - 600 mm (or approx  22 - 24 inches)
  2. Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer photo above.
  3. Weight: Approx  600 - 750 gms (or approx  21 - 27 ozs)
Aviary Notes:

Level Of Knowledge Required: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Specialist Breeders Only.

Government Regulations & By-Laws: Refer to " Government Laws " web page.

Housing Requirements:  Refer to " Housing Birds " web page for general details on the housing of Cockatoos or read on for specific details for this parrot.

An aviary of 8 metres long will allow these birds to be able to get adequate exercise.  The aviary should be about 1.5 to 1.8 metres wide and about 2.4 metres high.  Heavy gauge wire is necessary, preferably weldmesh.

Suitable non-toxic leafy branches can be placed in the aviary for the birds to chew up. This will entertain the birds, help minimize boredom and give the birds some beak exercise. Natural branches can be used for perches. These natural perches will be chewed by the birds and may need to be replaced regularly.

Diet / Feeding:  Refer to " Feeding Birds " web page for general details on the feeding of Cockatoos or read on for specific details for this parrot.

Native diet includes seed cones of Banksia and the introduced Pine species.  Branches, seeds and cones of these trees and other suitable native plants should be offered to the birds.  This will provide them with hours of physical activity and mental stimulation as well as a varied diet.

Aviary diet includes Sunflower seed, Canary seed, almonds, pine cones and other suitable native seed cones.  They have a preference for Banksia cones and nuts.

Nesting:  A basic overview only.  Dimensions are typical / average and can vary widely, influenced by the owner's preferences and the birds preferences.  Parent bird's preferences can also be influenced by the size and type of nest-box / log in which the bird was hatched and reared.  If space allows, offering a choice of sizes and types of logs or nest-boxes, and placed in various locations within the aviary, can allow the parent birds to make their own choice.  Once a pair has chosen a specific nest-box/log and been successful in it, offer that one to them each breeding season.  Try and keep that one for their exclusive use.  Once a pair has chosen its log or nest-box, the other ones can generally be removed.  If the "spare" boxes are to be removed and moved to another flight, ensure the log / nest-box is cleaned to ensure the receptacle has the minimal contamination of mites, parasites and pathogens.

A solid log is the preferred nest for large cockatoos.

  • Nesting months: White short-tailed = July to November. Long billed Black = August to January.
  • Log / Nest-box:
    • Length / depth  700 - 1000 mm (or approx. 28 - 40 inches)
    • Log internal diameter approx. 350 - 400 mm. (or approx. 14 - 16 inches)
    • Nest-box internal dimensions approx. 350 - 400 mm square (or approx. 14 - 16 inches square)
    • Diameter of entrance hole approx. 200 - 300 mm (or approx. 8 - 12 inches)
    • Inspection hole (square or round) 100 - 150 mm (or approx 4 - 6 inches)
    • A removable top / lid can be a useful access point for inspections and for cleaning.
    • Location and height of log / nest-box = high in the covered part of the aviary but not too close to the roof to be affected by heat from the roof in the summer months.
    • Angle of log or nest box =  45 degrees through to vertical.
  • Nesting log / nest-box material: Decomposed non-toxic saw dust, wood shavings or other suitable material/s. The hen will chew pieces off the inside of the log to add to the nesting material on which she will lay the egg or eggs.
  • Who incubates the egg/s: Hen / cock / both share.

Timber nest-boxes generally require a climbing structure attached inside the box below the entrance hole. Both logs and nests need an entrance hole/opening about 100 - 150mm (about 4 -6 inches) from the top. Many species of parrots like the entrance hole to be just big enough to squeeze through. Some parrot breeders do not place a "top" or lid on the larger nest log or nestbox and allow the birds to enter the nest via the top opening.

More details on parrot nestboxes/logs and a selection of parrot nestbox/log photos can be found on the "nests", "parrot nests" and "parrot nestbox photos" web pages.  Click on "Up" then "Nests" then "parrot nests" and "parrot nestbox photos" in the navigation bars.

Breeding: Egg Colour White.  Clutch/s per year 1.  Eggs per nest = Usually produce one young per clutch.  Incubation approx. 28 days.  Fledge approx. 12 weeks.  Independent approx .. many months and may be fed by a parent till the parents start the next clutch the next year.

Artificial incubation and hand rearing or fostering will not be covered on this web site. It is too complex and diverse in nature to be attempted here.

Health Issues: Refer to "Avian Health Issues" web page for information and references.

  • Worming and parasite control and Quarantine requirements of new bird/s or sick bird/s are considered to require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on this web site. Refer "Avian Health Issues" web page option.
  • Avian medicine is advancing at a rapid pace. Keep updating your knowledge and skills.

General References: Refer to references listed on "Book References" web page.

Specific References:

  • Australian Aviculture
  • A/A Vol 52 No. 9 Sept 1998 Page 201-204 (Inc photo)
  • Australian Birdkeeper
  • ABK Vol  9 Issue 2. Apr-May 1996 Page 83-85
  • ABK Vol  8 Issue 10. Aug-Sept 1995 Page 490-492
  • ABK Vol  7 Issue 2. Apr-May 1994 Page 61-66

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