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12

Glossy Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami) Alternate name(s): "Leach's Black Cockatoo", "Casuarina Cockatoo" Aboriginal name(s): Race "lathami": "bilirr" [gamilaraay]; "wayilayn" [western bundjalung]; "ponpontuRong" [tjapwurrung] Size: 46-50 cm Weight: 430-500 g

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Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Glossy Black-Cockatoos, although not much smaller than other species of Black-Cockatoos, are the smallest Black-Cockatoos in Australia. Their plumage is dimorphic, i.e. males and females are slightly different. While the body of both sexes is near-black dark-brown, the head of males is all dark-brown, whereas the head of females is brown with irregular yellow blotches. The head plumage of both sexes can show quite some colour variation. Males have two solid-red panels on their undertail, females have two barred red panels, with a colour gradient from orange to red. Bill, legs and feet are grey, the irises are dark. Juvenile Glossy Black-Cockatoos have plumage similar to adult males, but with small specks, while their tail panels are like those of females. Twitcher's tip Compared with Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos, Glossy Black-Cockatoos have a much less pronounced crest and have smaller red tail panels.

Taxonomy, classification See Glossy Black-Cockatoo at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Glossy Black-Cockatoo is available HERE . Glossy Black-Cockatoos are endemic to the Australian continent. There are three races of Glossy Black-Cockatoos. Nominate race "lathami" is found along the coastal strip from about the NSW/VIC border in the South to the south-eastern corner of QLD. They also live in the hills of the Great Dividing Range behind these coastal areas, into parts of the Murray-Darling Basin. In a roughly triangular area in QLD, with Bundaberg, Moranbah and Roma as its corners, race "erebus" is found. Race "halmaturinus" is found only on Kangaroo Island. Note that, despite the fact that in the 21st century there are, with the exception of the far north-eastern corner at the border with NSW, no Glossy Black-Cockatoos in VIC, the existence of race "halmaturinus" on Kangaroo Island suggests that the species was once found all through VIC. This is also reflected in the fact that a western Victorian Aboriginal language has a name for the species that translates into "eater of she-oak cones". Glossy Black-Cockatoos can be found in various types of forest, often open, sometimes also denser. They have a strong preference for the seeds of Casuarina trees and are therefore often found around such trees, especially if they have mature cones. Where to look? How to find this species? Glossy Black-Cockatoos are found most easily at dams or waterholes around sunset in forests and woodland with significant numbers of casuarinas.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "lathami" Glossy Black-Cockatoos, race "lathami", were first found by us in Jack's Creek State Forest (20 km South of Narrabri) in 2003, other parts of the Pilliga scrub and also about 20-30 km West of Narrabri. Glossy Black-Cockatoos, race "lathami", are found in various places around Narrabri, NSW, especially in areas with casuarinas. Although sighted regularly by us in these areas in the years 2003-2006, in general Glossy Black-Cockatoos are quite rare. They live in small groups; typical sightings are of two or three individuals, sometimes small groups of up to six birds. In the Pilliga NR, South of Narrabri, flocks of up to tens (probably consisting of subgroups that will disperse again at some point) have been spotted at various dams. C. Pears reports finding Glossy Black-Cockatoos, race "lathami", in Katoomba, NSW, in March 2010. Glossy Black-Cockatoos, race "lathami", are also infrequently seen by us in the foothills of the Nandewar Range, e.g. at Eulah Creek, where they can sometimes be seen flying over. In the timeframe December 2014 to March 2015, when it was particularly dry in one of their strongholds, the Pilliga scrub, and when bushfires had destroyed part of the native vegetation, increased numbers were seen by us flying over Eulah Creek towards the hills and large contiguous forests of the Great Dividing Range. In the timeframe December 2017 to January 2018 we have also seen them twice at Yarrie Lake, on the northern edge of the Pilliga scrub. C. Hayne reports that Glossy Black-Cockatoos, race "lathami", are occasionally seen in the area of Moree, NSW. In April 2014 a pair of Glossy Black-Cockatoos was spotted in the Gwydir Wetlands, about 70 km North-West of Moree, NSW. A. Ross-Taylor reports spotting Glossy Black-Cockatoos, race "lathami", at Nerang NP, Gold Coast, QLD, in October 2013. A group of 7 Glossy Black-Cockatoos, race "lathami", was spotted by us in the Goonoo NP, between Dubbo and Mendooran, NSW, in October 2015. M. Windeyer reports that Glossy Black-Cockatoos, race "lathami", are regularly found in the Gilgandra Flora Reserve, near Gilgandra, NSW. M. Eaton reports finding Glossy Black-Cockatoos, race "lathami", at O'Reilly's Plateau, Lamington NP, Gold Coast, QLD, in January 2020. Another pair was found at Port Macquarie, NSW, in January 2021. Race "erebus" In July 2009 Glossy Black-Cockatoos, race "erebus", were seen by us in two locations in QLD, namely at Mt. Archer NP, eastward of Rockhampton, QLD, and on the eastern outskirts of Kroombit Tops NP, QLD. Race "halmaturinus" J. Greaves reports spotting a small family clan of Glossy Black-Cockatoos, race "halmaturinus", at Lathami Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, SA, in March 2016. Twitcher's tip If you see black cockatoos with red tail markings in a group of only a few, it is likely that you are looking at Glossy Black-Cockatoos. If they come in a big flock, they are likely Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos.

Photos

Race "lathami"

ADULT

MALE

Near-frontal view of a male Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of M. Windeyer)
[Gilgandra Flora Reserve, near Gilgandra, NSW, September 2013]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a male Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Nerang NP, QLD, October 2013]

Near-lateral view of a male Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[O'Reilly's Plateau, Lamington NP, Gold Coast, QLD, January 2020]

Close-up lateral portrait of a male Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of M. Windeyer)
[Gilgandra Flora Reserve, near Gilgandra, NSW, August 2016]

Lateral view of a male Glossy Black-Cockatoo in a casuarina
[Near Wee Waa, NSW, November 2013]

Lateral/ventral view of a male Glossy Black-Cockatoo in a casuarina
[Near Wee Waa, NSW, November 2013]

Near-dorsal view of a male Glossy Black-Cockatoo with wet plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Port Macquarie, NSW, January 2021]

Near-dorsal view of a preening male Glossy Black-Cockatoo with wet plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Port Macquarie, NSW, January 2021]

Near-dorsal view of a male Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of M. Windeyer)
[Gilgandra Flora Reserve, near Gilgandra, NSW, September 2013]

Two male Glossy Black-Cockatoos (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Nerang NP, QLD, October 2013]

FEMALE

Frontal view of a female Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Port Macquarie, NSW, January 2021]

Frontal/ventral view of a female Glossy Black-Cockatoo looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Port Macquarie, NSW, January 2021]

Near-frontal view of a female Glossy Black-Cockatoo with wet plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Port Macquarie, NSW, January 2021]

Near-frontal view of a preening female Glossy Black-Cockatoo with wet plumage (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Port Macquarie, NSW, January 2021]

Near-frontal view of a preening female Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Port Macquarie, NSW, January 2021]

Near-frontal view of a preening female Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Port Macquarie, NSW, January 2021]

Near-frontal view of a female Glossy Black-Cockatoo clambering up a Casuarina (photo courtesy of M. Windeyer)
[Gilgandra Flora Reserve, near Gilgandra, NSW, August 2016]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a female Glossy Black-Cockatoo; the yellow feathers on the head indicate that this is a female, although no barring can be seen on the tail panels
[Near Wee Waa, NSW, November 2013]

Lateral view of a female Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of M. Windeyer)
[Gilgandra Flora Reserve, near Gilgandra, NSW, July 2014]

Lateral view of a female Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Katoomba, NSW, March 2010]

Lateral/ventral view of a female Glossy Black-Cockatoo in a casuarina
[Near Wee Waa, NSW, November 2013]

Lateral/ventral view of a female Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Nerang NP, QLD, October 2013]

PAIR

Lateral view of a pair of Glossy Black-Cockatoos - female in front, male at the back (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[O'Reilly's Plateau, Lamington NP, Gold Coast, QLD, January 2020]

Male, right, and female, left, Glossy Black-Cockatoo in flight; note that the male has some yellow feathers on its neck
[Near Wee Waa, NSW, November 2013]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Near-frontal/ventral view of a male, left, and juvenile, right, Glossy Black-Cockatoo in a casuarina
[Near Wee Waa, NSW, November 2013]

Lateral view of a juvenile Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[O'Reilly's Plateau, Lamington NP, Gold Coast, QLD, January 2020]

Juvenile Glossy Black-Cockatoo struggling to keep its balance
[Near Wee Waa, NSW, November 2013]

Dorsal view of a juvenile Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[O'Reilly's Plateau, Lamington NP, Gold Coast, QLD, January 2020]

Juvenile Glossy Black-Cockatoo taking off
[Near Wee Waa, NSW, November 2013]

Juvenile Glossy Black-Cockatoo nibbling on a casuarina seed
[Near Wee Waa, NSW, November 2013]

One Glossy Black-Cockatoo feeding the other - it is not clear why the birds went down onto the ground; it was raining at the time, which makes the rock surface reflect in a bluish-grey tint
[Pilliga NR, NSW, March 2009]

Race "erebus"

ADULT

MALE

Frontal view of a male Glossy Black-Cockatoo feeding on the seeds of a casuarina
[Mt. Archer NP, QLD, July 2009]

Frontal view of a male Glossy Black-Cockatoo feeding on the seeds of a eucalypt
[Near Kroombit Tops NP, QLD, July 2009]

FEMALE

Female Glossy Black-Cockatoo in flight, displaying the speckled, glossy plumage that gives them their name
[Near Kroombit Tops NP, QLD, July 2009]

Pair of Glossy Black-Cockatoo in flight (female upper-left, male lower-right)
[Near Kroombit Tops NP, QLD, July 2009]

Race "halmaturinus"

ADULT

MALE

Frontal view of a male (see solid red tail patches) Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Lathami Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, SA, March 2016]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a male Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Lathami Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, SA, March 2016]

Near-frontalventral view of a male Glossy Black-Cockatoo, now seen preening (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Lathami Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, SA, March 2016]

While preening, this male Glossy Black-Cockatoo clearly displays its solid red tail panels (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Lathami Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, SA, March 2016]

FEMALE

Lateral view of a female Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Lathami Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, SA, March 2016]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Lateral view of a juvenile or immature Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Lathami Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, SA, March 2016]

Lateral view of a juvenile Glossy Black-Cockatoo begging for food (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Lathami Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, SA, March 2016]

Dorsal view of an immature or juvenile Glossy Black-Cockatoo (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Lathami Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, SA, March 2016]

Dorsal view of an immature or juvenile Glossy Black-Cockatoo; while trying to get a solid foothold, it is displaying prominently its barred bright-red tail panels (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Lathami Conservation Park, Kangaroo Island, SA, March 2016]

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal

Mobility: Sedentary/dispersive

Elementary unit: Pair/family clan

When courting a female, the male Glossy Black-Cockatoo intonates a monotonous song reminiscent (to humans) of a car alarm. Upon the last intonation of the refrain, which increases in volume, the male bows and displays his crest and the red patches on the underside of its tail to the female (see photo). After a few seconds, and possibly after a move to a more advantageous point, the whole routine starts all over.

Male courting female, displaying his crest and the conspicuous red panels on his tail. Photographed against the bright light of the background sky, the birds appear to be darker than they are in reality
[Pilliga scrub, NSW, 2005]

Similar to other cockatoo species, Glossy Black-Cockatoos also show playful behaviour, like the male bird in the photo below.

Male Glossy Black-Cockatoo doing a somersault

Food, Diet

Adults: Casuarina seeds

Dependents: Regurgitated seeds

Water intake: Daily

Like basically all cockatoos, Glossy Black-Cockatoos are seed-eaters. They have a strong preference for the cones of casuarinas ("She-oaks").

Close-up view of a Glossy Black-Cockatoo cracking a Casuarina seed cone (photo courtesy of M. Windeyer)
[Gilgandra Flora Reserve, near Gilgandra, NSW, August 2016]

Male Glossy Black-Cockatoo chewing on a casuarina seed cone
[Near Narrabri, NSW, October 2006]

Female Glossy Black-Cockatoo with the same pastime
[Near Narrabri, NSW, October 2006]

Juvenile male Glossy Black-Cockatoo chewing on a casuarina seed; note the size and strength of the bill, enabling them to crack these hard seeds (photo courtesy of A. Ross-Taylor)
[Nerang NP, QLD, October 2013]

Contrary to other birds eating cones of conifers, Glossy Black-Cockatoos do not crack casuarina ("She-oak") cones to extract the seeds, but instead eat the whole lot. Below a close look at such a cone, which is about 10 mm long.

Casuarina seed cone

Glossy Black-Cockatoos drinking from a waterhole
[Pilliga scrub, NSW, July 2011]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

glossy_20200110.m4a	lathami (NW NSW)	Contact calls (in-flight; family of 4)	© MD
glossy_20220528.m4a	lathami (NW NSW)	Contact calls (in-flight; family of 4)	© MD

More Glossy Black-Cockatoo sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site? If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.

Disclaimer: Comments are always welcome. We give no guarantee that the information presented on these pages is always correct or up-to-date. External links are marked as such and we take no responsibility for the contents of external pages. All images on this site are protected by copyright & used by permission of the respective owners. If you wish to reproduce them or any of the material presented on this web site, please contact us: We hereby acknowledge the original custodians of the land which is described on these pages, including the Gomeroi/Gamilaraay people of the North-west Slopes and Plains of NSW, and the traditional owners of other lands and nations within this country. We acknowledge elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.          Last updated: Sun, 29 May 2022, 23:15 +00:00