palm cockatoo

The palm cockatoo, also known as the great black cockatoo, is the largest of all cockatoos, measuring about 65 to 75 cm (25 to 30 inches) in length. This species is native to northeastern Australia, New Guinea, and the Aru Islands.1

Palm cockatoos are characterized by their black plumage and a distinctive threadlike erectile crest. They possess a massive, scimitar-like beak, which they use for cracking nuts, digging for roots, and prying grubs from wood. These birds are known for their piercing whistlelike calls. A unique behavior observed in male palm cockatoos is their use of a stick, gripped with their foot, to drum on tree trunks, producing a loud sound. Unlike many other cockatoo species, palm cockatoos are solitary birds. They are threatened by the illegal cage-bird trade.12