Glossy Black Cockatoo vs Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

Glossy Black Cockatoo

Calyptorhynchus lathami

How to recognise a glossy black-cockatoo?

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

Habitat

Primary habitat

The glossy black cockatoo’s primary habitat consists of woodland and forest regions, preferably with a good supply of sheoak trees, in Eastern Australia.

Additional range

They may also occupy rainforest edges, farmland, urban parks, and gardens. Their climate preference is generally mild to warm, often in coastal areas.

Range Map

What do glossy black cockatoos like to eat?

Natural diet

The glossy black cockatoo primarily feeds on the seeds of casuarina and allocasuarina trees. They have a specialized diet, relying heavily on these seed sources, particularly from species like the drooping she-oak (Allocasuarina verticillata). They may also consume seeds from other native trees and sometimes supplement their diet with insect larvae found under the bark.

Bird feeders

It is uncommon for glossy black cockatoos to visit bird feeders, as they prefer their natural diet of casuarina seeds. However, they may occasionally consume seeds from bird feeders that offer a variety of nuts and seeds similar to their natural sources, though this is rare and not a significant part of their diet.

What does a glossy black-cockatoo sound like?

The glossy black cockatoo is known for its raucous, screeching calls and piercing whistles, often heard during its evening flights. These calls often vary between sexes; males usually make a repetitive 'kreel-kreel' noise while the females and young emit high-pitched, shrieking notes. This cockatoo, however, is relatively quieter compared to other cockatoo species. It does not really have a defined song or specific melody, but rather depends on a series of calls and sounds for communication.

Call

Audio by Marc Anderson

/ CC BY-NC-ND 4.0

Call

Audio by Nigel Jackett

/ CC BY-NC-SA 3.0

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Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

Calyptorhynchus banksii

Also known as: Banksian Black Cockatoo, Banks' Black Cockatoo

How to recognise a red-tailed black cockatoo?

General appearance

The red-tailed black cockatoo is a large and striking bird, primarily black in color with bright red or orange panels in the tail depending on sex. They have a distinctive crest of the same black feathers on their head. Their size varies with location, but generally ranges between 50-65 cm in length.

Male vs female

Males have a characteristic pair of bright red panels on their tail feathers, a black beak, and a dark iris. Females are slightly smaller, beaks are whitish, and they typically sport patterned yellow-orange spots on their chest and wings. Their tail panels are thin orange-yellow stripes instead of solid red.

Juvenile

Juveniles resemble the adult female red-tailed black cockatoo, but are duller in color. Their iris is dark, and they possess fainter yellow-orange patterns. Tail-wise, the young males have dull red panels while the young females display barred orange tail panels. With age, these colors become more pronounced and distinct.

Size

21.7 - 23.6 in/20.1 - 30.7 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The red-tailed black cockatoo primarily inhabits Eucalyptus woodlands, Melaleuca swamps, and tropical rainforests in Australia.

Additional range

It occasionally ventures into urban areas becoming a common sight in parks and gardens. They prefer warm climates and are mostly found across northern and eastern Australia.

Range Map

What do red-tailed black cockatoos like to eat?

Natural diet

The red-tailed black cockatoo primarily feeds on native seeds, fruits, nuts, and flowers found in its habitat. They have a particular preference for seeds from eucalyptus, casuarina, and acacia trees. Additionally, they consume insect larvae and other small invertebrates.

Bird feeders

At bird feeders, red-tailed black cockatoos are occasionally seen consuming commercial bird seed mixes that include sunflower seeds, grains, and nuts. While they are less commonly found at feeders, these foods can supplement their natural diet when available.

What does a red-tailed black cockatoo sound like?

The red-tailed black cockatoo has a characteristic piercing, metallic screech, often repeated during flight or while perching. The call varies in pitch and volume, sometimes ending in a softer 'caw-caw-caw'. It lacks distinct songs but produces soft social noises while resting or feeding. Females also emit softer, more modulated cries and have unique contact calls for their chicks. Males produce a nasally alarm call. The cockatoo may also mimic human speech when in captivity.

Call

Audio by Nick Talbot

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

Call

Audio by Nick Talbot

/ CC BY-NC-SA 4.0

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Glossy Black Cockatoo

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Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

Glossy 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

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Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

Calyptorhynchus banksii

Also known as: Banksian Black Cockatoo, Banks' Black Cockatoo

General appearance

The red-tailed black cockatoo is a large and striking bird, primarily black in color with bright red or orange panels in the tail depending on sex. They have a distinctive crest of the same black feathers on their head. Their size varies with location, but generally ranges between 50-65 cm in length.

Male vs female

Males have a characteristic pair of bright red panels on their tail feathers, a black beak, and a dark iris. Females are slightly smaller, beaks are whitish, and they typically sport patterned yellow-orange spots on their chest and wings. Their tail panels are thin orange-yellow stripes instead of solid red.

Juvenile

Juveniles resemble the adult female red-tailed black cockatoo, but are duller in color. Their iris is dark, and they possess fainter yellow-orange patterns. Tail-wise, the young males have dull red panels while the young females display barred orange tail panels. With age, these colors become more pronounced and distinct.

Size

21.7 - 23.6 in/20.1 - 30.7 oz

There's more to learn about Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

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How to tell the Glossy Black Cockatoo from the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

Visual differences

The Glossy Black Cockatoo (18-20 inches, 0.9-1 pound) is smaller than the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo (22-25 inches, 1.3-1.9 pounds). Glossy Black males are solid black with a bright red tail patch, while females have yellow speckles. Their bills are entirely dark. Red-Tailed Black males display bright red tail panels, females have patterned wings and chest, and whitish beaks. Both exhibit crests, but the Red-Tailed Black's is more pronounced.

Key differences and behavior

The Glossy Black Cockatoo (*Calyptorhynchus lathami*) and Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo (*Calyptorhynchus banksii*) exhibit distinct behavioral and ecological differences. Glossy blacks are smaller (18-20 inches, 0.9-1 lb) and prefer sheoak seeds, showing strong habitat fidelity to woodland areas. They are quieter, non-migratory, and often form small groups. Conversely, Red-tailed blacks, larger in size (22-26 inches, 1.3-1.9 lbs), feed on diverse seeds including eucalyptus and are more adaptable to varied environments like eucalyptus woodlands. Both species share similar courtship behaviors, with males presenting food, but Red-tailed blacks can lay up to two eggs, unlike the Glossy's single egg clutch. Breeding habitats differ, with Glossy blacks using eucalyptus hollows and Red-tailed requiring larger trees. Though both may visit bird feeders, Glossy blacks do so rarely, sticking to casuarina seeds.

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Glossy Black Cockatoo or Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo?

Glossy Black Cockatoo

How to recognise a glossy black-cockatoo?

Habitat

What do glossy black cockatoos like to eat?

What does a glossy black-cockatoo sound like?

Call

Call

There's more to learn about Glossy Black Cockatoo

Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

How to recognise a red-tailed black cockatoo?

Habitat

What do red-tailed black cockatoos like to eat?

What does a red-tailed black cockatoo sound like?

Call

Call

There's more to learn about Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

Glossy Black Cockatoo

There's more to learn about Glossy Black Cockatoo

Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

There's more to learn about Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

How to tell the Glossy Black Cockatoo from the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

Visual differences

Key differences and behavior

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