Glossy Black Cockatoo vs Yellow-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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Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo

Zanda funerea

How to recognise a yellow-tailed black cockatoo?

General appearance

Yellow-tailed black cockatoos are large birds, measuring up to 65 cm in length, with overall black coloration. They possess a prominent crest of black feathers on their head and yellow patches on their cheeks. The main distinctive feature is a yellow band on their tail feathers, granting the species its name.

Male vs female

Males have a dark grey beak color and pinkish eye-rings, while females have a bone-colored beak and grey eye-rings. Another notable characteristic in females is broader and brighter yellow tail bands.

Juvenile

Juvenile yellow-tailed black cockatoos resemble the adult females, though their coloring is slightly duller. They also possess a shorter crest compared to adults. Juvenile males will start to develop darker beaks with age, allowing for differentiation from females.

Size

21.7 - 23.6 in/21.5 - 31.7 oz

Habitat

Primary habitat

The yellow-tailed black cockatoo primarily dwells in forests and woodlands of Southeastern Australia.

Additional range

Apart from typical environments, they are also found in farmland, pine plantations, and urban parks. They are adaptable to diverse climates with preferences varying from sub-alpine regions to coastal areas.

Range Map

What do yellow-tailed black cockatoos like to eat?

Natural diet

The yellow-tailed black cockatoo primarily feeds on native seeds, fruits, and nuts. They are known to consume seeds from native trees such as banksias, hakeas, and eucalypts. In addition to seeds, they eat wood-boring larvae, which they extract by peeling bark off trees or breaking into wood.

Bird feeders

While yellow-tailed black cockatoos are not frequent visitors to traditional bird feeders, they may be attracted to feeders offering seeds like sunflower seeds and nuts. However, their visits are less common compared to other parrot species, as they are more reliant on natural food sources found in the wild.

What does a yellow-tailed black cockatoo sound like?

The yellow-tailed black cockatoo has a variety of calls, including a distinctive "kee-ow…kee-ow…kee-ow" sound. Their vocalizations often comprise wailing calls, described as slow, mournful cries or soft humming notes. During flight, they make loud, nasal honking sounds and repetitive, plaintive "kur-ruk...kur-ruk" call sequences. Unlike many parrot species, they are not known for their song capabilities. Their calls, particularly when in large flocks, can be quite noisy and raucous, echoing over long distances.

Call

Audio by Wardie44

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Glossy Black Cockatoo

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Yellow-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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Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo

Zanda funerea

General appearance

Yellow-tailed black cockatoos are large birds, measuring up to 65 cm in length, with overall black coloration. They possess a prominent crest of black feathers on their head and yellow patches on their cheeks. The main distinctive feature is a yellow band on their tail feathers, granting the species its name.

Male vs female

Males have a dark grey beak color and pinkish eye-rings, while females have a bone-colored beak and grey eye-rings. Another notable characteristic in females is broader and brighter yellow tail bands.

Juvenile

Juvenile yellow-tailed black cockatoos resemble the adult females, though their coloring is slightly duller. They also possess a shorter crest compared to adults. Juvenile males will start to develop darker beaks with age, allowing for differentiation from females.

Size

21.7 - 23.6 in/21.5 - 31.7 oz

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

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

Visual differences

The Glossy Black Cockatoo is smaller (18-20 inches) with solid dark plumage and an all-dark bill. Males have bright red tail patches, while females show yellow speckles. The Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo is larger (22-24 inches), predominantly black with a prominent crest, yellow cheek patches, and distinct yellow tail bands. Males have darker beaks and pinkish eye-rings; females have bone-colored beaks and broader yellow tail bands. Glossy Black Cockatoos have a robust build with curved beaks, contrasting with the more slender build of the Yellow-Tailed variety.

Key differences and behavior

Glossy Black Cockatoos (18-20 inches long, 0.9-1 lbs) usually form small, quiet, non-migratory groups, preferring the forests of Eastern Australia with casuarina trees. They have a specialized diet mainly consisting of casuarina seeds and are seldom seen at bird feeders. Their elaborate mating behavior involves aerial displays and food offerings, with nesting predominantly in eucalyptus hollows. In contrast, Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoos (21.7-23.6 inches long, 1.3-2 lbs) form larger groups, occupying diverse habitats in Southeastern Australia, including sub-alpine and coastal areas. They forage on seeds, fruits, nuts, and wood-boring larvae, sometimes visiting bird feeders. These cockatoos choose old tree hollows over 200 years for nesting and can lay more than one egg. Both species perform aerial acrobatics for courtship, but Yellow-Tails also rely on a broader range of food sources and habitats.

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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

Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo

How to recognise a yellow-tailed black cockatoo?

Habitat

What do yellow-tailed black cockatoos like to eat?

What does a yellow-tailed black cockatoo sound like?

Call

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

Glossy Black Cockatoo

There's more to learn about Glossy Black Cockatoo

Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo

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

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

Visual differences

Key differences and behavior

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