Scientific Name:
Cacatua leadbeateri
Distribution
Throughout much of inland Australia.
Diet:
Seeds, nuts, cereal grains, weeds, fruits, berries, roots, insect larvae from branches.
Facts
Habitat: Semi-arid to arid shrubland with tree-lined watercourses, woodland.
Incubation: 23-26 days / 2-5 eggs
Social structure: families and flocks of several hundreds.
Weight: max 480gr
Dimensions: 33-40cm
Lifespan: 50-60
Estimated population in the wild: common
Threats: Habitat destruction.
IUCN Status: Least concern
Did you know that:
- They nest on natural hollows or nests constructed by other species 3 to 20m above ground, preferably in eucalyptus trees near water.
- Breeding pairs are very territorial and will not nest closer than 1km to another nesting pair.
- The Major Mitchell's Cockatoo is the only cockatoo with a multicoloured crest.
- The crest is used to visually attract a mate, ward off opposing males, and communicate alarm or distress to nearby birds.