Habitat/range: Probosciger aterrimus is found only on the Cape York Peninsula of northern Australia, the Aru Islands, Papua New Guinea and other surrounding smaller islands. Parents share the incubation of the egg, which lasts approximately 30 days. The same nest is often used by the pair each year. Breeding normally occurs during October, November and December (spring to early summer). Reproduction: Palm cockatoos build their nests in the hollows of trees. Each of the calls allows them to stay in contact with or to locate one another. They also have whistles, grunts and cries. They make a harsh screeching call when they feel threatened and they will call to one another as the sun rises.

Much time is spent preening or interacting.ĭiet: They feed on fruit, nuts, berries, seeds and buds of leaves.Ĭommunication: Palm cockatoos have several different calls. One bird stands guard to alert the groups of a predator or danger approaches. Their wingspans are between 27.5-39 inches (70-100 cm).īehavior: Probosciger aterrimus are very social birds, usually seen in pairs, small groups, but often feeding in large groups. Size: Palm cockatoos are large birds, standing 19- 27 inches (49-68 cm) and weighing between one to two pounds (0.45 -0.9 kg). The color ranges from off-white to burgundy, depending on stress level and/or general health. A red, naked facial marking is located just to the sides of the beak. The legs are grayish-black with some feathers on the thighs. The feathers have a powder down, which dulls the beak and adds a gray color to the black plumage. They have a backward curving erectile crest and a massive upper mandible (top portion of the beak) that is larger in males than in females. Description: Palm cockatoos are the only cockatoo with all dark feathers.

Palm black cockatoo