About the Gang-gang Cockatoo
The gang-gang cockatoo is a parrot found in the cooler and wetter forests and woodlands of Australia, particularly alpine bushland. It is the only species placed in the genus Callocephalon. Mostly mild grey in colour with some lighter scalloping, the male has a red head and crest, while the female has a small fluffy grey crest. It ranges throughout south-eastern Australia. The gang-gang cockatoo is the faunal emblem of the Australian Capital Territory. It is easily identified by its distinctive call, which is described as resembling a creaky gate, or the sound of a cork being pulled from a wine bottle.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The gang-gang cockatoo is 32–37 cm (13–15 in) in length with a 62–76 cm (24–30 in) wingspan, and weighs 230–334 grams. They are grey birds with wispy crests. The head and crest are bright red in males, but dark grey in females. The edges of feathers in the underparts have edges of yellow or pink. The edges of feathers on the upperparts are slightly paler grey than the rest of the feather, which makes the bird look somewhat barred. Juvenile males can be distinguished by their brighter crowns and shorter crests, but otherwise look similar to the adult female.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in January · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
CockatielNymphicus hollandicusThe cockatiel's distinctive crest expresses the animal's emotional state.
Red-tailed Black CockatooCalyptorhynchus banksiiRed-tailed black cockatoos are around 60 centimetres (24 in) in length and sexually dimorphic.
Glossy Black CockatooCalyptorhynchus lathamiLike the related red-tailed black cockatoo, this species is sexually dimorphic.
Learn the Gang-gang Cockatoo for real
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