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Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo feeding on Bottle Brush seeds

on 9th September 2014

The Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynus latirostris) is endemic to Western Australia and highly endangered. A recent report found that it may disappear from the Perth region within 15 years LINK.

“The cockatoo is a seed-eater, feeding mainly on the kernels of proteaceous plants like Grevellea, Dryandra and Banksia. The cockatoo bites and tears open the thick woody capsule and cones that enclose the seed.

“The video above shows the cockatoo handling the fruiting head of the Bottle Brush (Callistemon sp.) while perching on a street lamp. Using one foot to hold on to the fruiting head, it uses its bill to extract the seeds. Inedible parts are spitted out.


“The above shows the cockatoo diving onto a Bottle Brush shrub from a high wire.

“With its highly versatile tongue, it extracts the seeds from the bottle fruiting head, as shown in the above clip.

“This cockatoo was filmed near the High School at Pemberton, Western Australia.”

Teo Lee Wei & K.
Singapore
23rd August 2014

If you like this post please tap on the Like button at the left bottom of page. Any views and opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors/contributors, and are not endorsed by the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM, NUS) or its affiliated institutions. Readers are encouraged to use their discretion before making any decisions or judgements based on the information presented.

YC Wee

Dr Wee played a significant role as a green advocate in Singapore through his extensive involvement in various organizations and committees: as Secretary and Chairman for the Malayan Nature Society (Singapore Branch), and with the Nature Society (Singapore) as founding President (1978-1995). He has also served in the Nature Reserve Board (1987-1989), Nature Reserves Committee (1990-1996), National Council on the Environment/Singapore Environment Council (1992-1996), Work-Group on Nature Conservation (1992) and Inter-Varsity Council on the Environment (1995-1997). He is Patron of the Singapore Gardening Society and was appointed Honorary Museum Associate of the Lee Kong Chian Natural History Museum (LKCNHM) in 2012. In 2005, Dr Wee started the Bird Ecology Study Group. With more than 6,000 entries, the website has become a valuable resource consulted by students, birdwatchers and researchers locally and internationally. The views and opinions expressed in this article are his own, and do not represent those of LKCNHM, the National University of Singapore or its affiliated institutions.

Other posts by YC Wee

One Response

  1. Been observing black cockatoos in bottle brush five years I’ve lived in murgon qld. Started written recording. As if there’s three or twelve maximum observed. We have corresponding rainfall soon after. Can I get the tree protected? Ten just flew over and didn’t stop so I don’t know what that means inregards to weather but I will take note.

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