- Calyptorhynchus lathami
Identification
The Glossy Black Cockatoo male is predominantly black with a dark brown head with striking caudal red patches. Female birds are duller in colour, with dominant flecks of yellow on the cheeks in breeding birds. The female has red barring on the tail. The smallest of Australia's "black" cockatoos adult birds will grow to be about 46-50cm in length. The birds are found in open forest and woodlands, and have a unique "creaking door" sound to their call.
Distribution
There are three sub species of this bird that all occupy specific parts of the continent. Calyptorhynchus lathami erebus
which is found in Central North Queensland from Eungella National Park near Mackay south to Monto in South Eastern Queensland.
Calyptorhynchus lathami lathami found from Kingaroy and the Wide Bay District of South Eastern Queensland south to East Gippsland in Victoria.
Calyptorhynchus lathami halmaturinus found only on Kangaroo Island South Australia
Taxonomy
Habitat
All members of this species are sometimes referred to as the "Casuarina Cockatoo" a reference to the bird's preference for eating the cone seeds of the Allocasuarina and Casuarina or She Oak Trees. Sadly these trees form the greater part of the bird's diet, but are regarded as "rubbish" by most people including developers, who wantonly destroy this habitat. In South Australia, where the birds live solely on Kangaroo Island, recent bushfires have destroyed a large part of the habitat and replanting efforts are continuing. Conservation Status In Queensland C.lathami lathami is considered vulnerable and in New South Wales the same status applies. C.lathami erebus is considered to be sfae and maybe even increasing in numbers. In Victoria C.lathami lathami is listed as threatened. The Kangaroo Island population of C.lathami halmaturinis is listed as endangered. Nationwide, it is believed that less than 18,000 birds may still exist.
Behaviour
The Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami), also known as the Casuarina Black Cockatoo after one of their preferred food items, is the smallest member of the subfamily Calyptorhynchinae found in Australia
