Hole 7

YELLOW-TAILED BLACK COCKATOO

Many cockatoo type birds such as Galahs and Corellas are regular visitors to South Lakes, but one of the more interesting and less common species is the Yellow-Tailed Black Cockatoo.

The Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo is sometimes referred to as the Funereal Cockatoo. This is because its slow steady wing flap and dark sombre plumage reminded George Shaw, the man who gave it its scientific name, of going to a funeral!

Yellow Tails are one of the larger Black Cockatoos and can easily be distinguished by its black plumage, bright yellow tail and its yellow cheek patch, which is larger on the female. In winter and early spring, they form large feeding groups which often fly long distances to feed. From October to March, they disperse to breed in tree hollows.

These birds have a very varied diet and especially love to chew big holes in gum trees to get at wood boring grubs and larvae. They also feed on other native trees such as banksias and she-oaks. But Yellow Tails have greatly benefited by the introduction of pine trees to Australia. They use their strong beaks to tear pinecones apart for the seeds and as the pines from the plantations etc now form the main part their diet. They have expanded their range and numbers and are often seen flying over South Lakes.