Main Content
Gang-gang Cockatoo
Callocephalon fimbratum
Conservation Status
Vulnerable species in New South Wales in Threatened Species Conservation Act.
What does it look like?They are mostly slate-grey, with the males easily identified by their scarlet head and wispy crest, while females have a grey head and crest and feathers edged with salmon pink on the underbelly. They range in length from 32 to 37cm, with a wingspan of 62-76 cm. (from DEC – NSW Threatened Species Profile) Where does it live?In the summer they prefer tall mountain forest and woodland, with areas heavily timbered with eucalypts and often with dense acacia understorey. In winter the species often ranges further into drier and more open eucalypt forests and woodlands at lower altitudes and it’s during this time when they are more likely to be seen in urban areas. |
 |
The Gang-gang is distributed throughout the south-east corner of Australia, from southern Victoria to the hunter region in New South Wales, and inland to the Central Tablelands and South West slopes. There are a couple of records for Pittwater from Avalon, Mona Vale and Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park.
What do they eat and what is their life cycle?
The birds forage on seeds, nuts and berries, insects and their larvae, concentrating on the outer canopy of eucalypts, angophoras and acacias. The nest in large hollow trunks or limbs, usually vertical, at heights of 12-27 m during October to January. Living eucalypts near water in tall mature sclerophyll forests are preferred by these cockatoos which also have a high nest fidelity. Their clutch size is 2-3 which leave the nest at 10 weeks.
Updated: 22 Jun 2011
Related Links
- Gang-gang Cockatoo - DEC-NSW Threatened Species Profile