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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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