Curio

State Library of New South Wales
Yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus), 1790s

Yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus), 1790s

TAL & Dai-ichi Life Derby Collection, Mitchell Library, State Library of NSW; Purchased from The Rt Hon. The 19th Earl of Derby, 2011; PXD 1098, vol. 4, f. 48

Watercolour

Yellow-tailed black cockatoos are distributed across south eastern Australia and mainly inhabit forest areas including eucalypt and pine trees.
Yellow-tailed black cockatoos have a long breeding season. Usually only one chick survives and stays with its parents for around six months.
Yellow-tailed black cockatoos feed in noisy flocks, eating wood-boring grubs and beetles as well as seeds of native trees and pinecones.
Yellow-tailed black cockatoos often socialise before dusk, engaging in preening, feeding and impressive displays of acrobatic flying.
Yellow-tailed black cockatoos have prominent yellow cheek patches, yellow tail band and yellow-edged body feathers.
The specific name for the Yellow-tailed black cockatoo is funereus relating to its dark and sombre plumage, as if dressed for a funeral.