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Great Palm Cockatoo |
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Bird Breeds:
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DESCRIPTION
19V2 to 24 inches (50 to 60cm), largest of all cockatoos. Greyish-black,
almost purplish, with bare red facial patch and tongue (with black tip),
elongated upper mandible and ragged crest. Eyes brown, beak and legs charcoal.
Female smaller with smaller patch.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION
Northeastern Australia and New Guinea and surrounding islands.
HABITAT
Tropical and monsoon rain forest bordering on savannah, in lowlands up
to 2,500 feet (750m), in small flocks. Nest built in steeply sloping tree
cavity, which is used year after year.
DIET
Even tiny seeds (in addition to nuts and seeds of pandonus palms) are
taken, usually a few at a time, and put in a cavity of the lower mandible;
one by one these seeds will be pushed, by the tongue, to the chisel edge
of the lower mandible to be broken.
SPECIAL NEEDS
Aviary of sturdy materials to protect it from the bird's strong beak.
CAGE LIFE
Usually gentle, but noted for dramatic displays as pairs choose territories
for breeding, from August to February: male grips stick with foot and
drums on trunk. Uses hollow trunks or nest boxes 59 Vi inches (150cm)
high and 153/4 inches (40cm) in diameter, with 6-inch (15-cm)
layer of materials (chewed twigs), placed by both partners. Lays one egg,
incubation 33 days by female.
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