News
Sightings: Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos
This season I'm very happy to say, has started out an exceptional one for sightings of members of the Black-Cockatoo family around Hervey Bay. Recently in my district of Pacific Haven, the Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo (pictured) has been spotted on several properties. A friend was also pleased to have seen many in the Burrum Heads area last week. Hervey Bay at varying times is fortunate enough to have as many as three different varieties of Black-Cockatoos visit, but of these the Yellow-tailed is less frequently seen. I have had people contact me who swear black and blue that they have even seen White Tailed Black Cockatoos here. I have to say it’s a mistake, because the White-Tailed is only found in W.A. The mistake is easily made. What they have seen certainly looks white. I've seen what appear to be white tails myself. What it is actually is the suns shining through the tail washing the yellow out, making it appear white. The Glossy-Black-Cockatoos have re-appeared mainly in the northern areas of Hervey Bay, where their preferred food, the seeds of the Casuarina trees are found, The more raucous Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos have also been visiting. These are seen more widely around the Bay and have been seen in numbers in areas, such as Booral, of late. They have a more varied range of food than the Glossy’s and circulate more. A few weeks back I was lucky enough to have two Red-tailed and a Glossy land on my property in Pacific Haven, just hours apart. This was a first for me having the two species call in on the same day. It had been about six months since I had last seen them. Hopefully, while they are still around, other keen birdwatchers will be able to gain good viewing of some, or all, of our Black-Cockatoo visitors.
By Alan Peebles: 20.6.2010
Photo: Alan Peebles.
03 Jun 2011 See all the latest in Gardening Club News
