Bird Guide

Carnaby's Black Cockatoo

Zanda latirostris

EndangeredEndemicSeedsShrublandCavity nestLarge · 612 g

About the Carnaby's Black Cockatoo

Carnaby's black cockatoo, also known as the short-billed black cockatoo, is a large black cockatoo endemic to southwest Australia. It was described in 1948 by naturalist Ivan Carnaby. Measuring 53–58 cm (21–23 in) in length, it has a short crest on the top of its head. Its plumage is mostly greyish black, and it has prominent white cheek patches and a white tail band. The body feathers are edged with white giving a scalloped appearance. Adult males have a dark grey beak and pink eye-rings. Adult females have a bone-coloured beak, grey eye-rings and ear patches that are paler than those of the males.

Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

ID tip

Carnaby's black cockatoo is 53–58 cm (21–23 in) in length with a 110 cm (43 in) wingspan, and weighs 520–790 grams. It is mostly greyish black, with narrow light grey scalloping produced by narrow off white margins at the tips of dark feathers. The scalloping is more prominent on the neck. It has a crest of 2.5–3 cm (0.98–1.18 in) long feathers on its head that form a short crest that can be raised and lowered, and a prominent off-white patch of feathers on its cheek. Its lateral tail feathers are white with black tips, and the central tail feathers all black.

Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where the Carnaby's Black Cockatoo lives

Regular range

When to see the Carnaby's Black Cockatoo

Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range

Easily confused with

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