Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo or Glossy Black Cockatoo?
Here's how to tell the difference
Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo
Glossy Black Cockatoo
Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo
Calyptorhynchus latirostris
Also known as: Short-Billed Black Cockatoo
General appearance
The Carnaby’s black cockatoo is a large parrot with an overall sooty black coloration. They have a characteristic crest of feathers on their heads and beige patches on their cheeks. Their tail feathers are also adorned with beige panels. In flight, they display bright white markings on their wings.
Male vs female
Males and females have slightly different appearances. Males have dark grey beaks and pink eye-rings, while females have bone-colored beaks and grey eye-rings. Females also display barred feathering on their crests, while males have solid black crests.
Juvenile
Juvenile Carnaby’s black cockatoos resemble females with their bone-colored beaks, but they lack the female's barred crest feathering. Their eye-rings are duller in colour, often appearing brown. As they mature, males develop dark beaks and pink eye-rings, while females maintain their appearance.
Size
21.7 - 23.6 in/20.5 - 27.2 oz
There's more to learn about Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo
View full detailsGlossy Black Cockatoo
Calyptorhynchus lathami
General appearance
The glossy black cockatoo is relatively small for a cockatoo, and stands out due to its solid black or dark brown plumage with variable red or orange markings. The bird has a sturdy build and a strong curved beak. Its most noticeable feature includes an all-dark bill, contrary to other black cockatoos that exhibit bone-colored beaks.
Male vs female
Sexual dimorphism exists in glossy black cockatoos. Males have a solid black plumage with a bright red patch on the tail, while females and young males display yellow speckles on the head and neck and possess varying red, black, and yellow elements within their tail feathers. Females may also have lighter bills than males.
Juvenile
Juveniles of this species resemble females but have less yellow spotting. Their tail bands are more orange and less clearly defined than in adults. The precise age at which males attain their adult coloring is not well documented, but it's thought to take several years.
Size
18.1 - 19.7 in/14.1 - 15.9 oz
There's more to learn about Glossy Black Cockatoo
View full detailsHow to tell the Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo from the Glossy Black Cockatoo
Visual differences
Carnaby's Black Cockatoo is larger at 21.7-23.6 inches and 1.3-1.7 pounds, with sooty black plumage, beige cheek patches, beige tail panels, and in-flight white wing markings. Males feature dark grey beaks and pink eye-rings; females have barred crests and bone-colored beaks. Glossy Black Cockatoo, smaller at 18.1-19.7 inches and 0.9-1 pound, is solid black/dark brown with red/orange tail marks. Males show bright red tail patches; females have yellow head speckles and varied tail colors. Both have dark bills, but females may have lighter ones.
Key differences and behavior
Carnaby's Black Cockatoo and Glossy Black Cockatoo differ notably in behavior and ecology. Carnaby's, found in southwestern Australia, are vocal and social, often spotted in eucalyptus woodlands and urban areas. Their varied diet includes seeds, insects, and occasional fruits. They nest in mature eucalyptus trees with nests spaced apart, indicating a preference for privacy. Conversely, Glossy Black Cockatoos, native to eastern Australia, are quieter and prefer small groups, roosting communally. They inhabit woodland areas with sheoak trees, critically depending on casuarina seeds for sustenance. Their nesting, also in eucalypt hollows, involves more extended chick rearing due to their specialized food sources. In reproductive rituals, both perform courtship displays and food presentations. However, Glossies are less urban-adapted than Carnaby's, reflecting their dietary specialization and small family groups. Both are noteworthy for their lifelong pair bonding.
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