Check out Australia Zoo’s Red-tailed Black Cockatoos!

Australia Zoo is home to the you-beaut black cockatoo. More specifically, the red-tailed black cockatoo! Keep an eye out for our Wandering Wildlife Team and you might just see these beautiful birds in the ‘feather’. Keep your eyes and ears to the sky during our daily Wildlife Warriors Show, because you may also see them fly right above your head.

Red-tailed black cockatoos are found throughout all mainland states and territories of Australia. Due to their vast distribution, they inhabit a variety of environments including tall eucalypt forests and woodlands.

As their name suggests, they are identified by their black body, head and crest, complimented by their stunning red tail, but, that’s just the males! Females have stunning yellow spots covering their body and face with red or orange on their breast and under tail. Crikey, they are gorgeous.

During sunset hours, red-tailed black cockatoos are often spotted flying high above in flocks, preparing to roost after a long day of foraging. These cockatoos are omnivores, so they feed on fruits, seeds, grasses, berries and flowers. They have also been known to eat insects and larvae!

Unfortunately, Australian forests are being cleared for agricultural purposes. Some populations of red-tails are fragmenting and suffering from this habitat loss. However, their species as a whole is of least concern. You little ripper!