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12

Parrots/cockatoos pruning trees/shrubs

(Leaf-eating insects and their secretions)

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The following species have been observed by us systematically pruning trees.

We have so far observed three types of pruning:

Pruning while feeding

Several species of parrots and cockatoos feed on the flowers of trees and shrubs, not just licking nectar, but eating the flowers, or parts thereof. In the process, some tend to nip entire flower stands off to then reach individual flowers for feeding. In the process, they regularly drop the remainder of the flower stands to the ground. This behaviour is systematic and it may indicate that it is done with purpose (for example, to relieve trees of the weight of copious seeds, which might otherwise cause branches to break).

Example: Sulphur-crested Cockatoos feeding on wattle seeds.

Overview of two wattles in full bloom, with lush foliage, and after harvesting

We have also seen a carpet of blossoming twigs under a Eucalyptus citriodora tree, but the best photo demonstrating it has gone missing.

Eucalyptus citriodora with chewed-off flower stands left behind under it
[Eulah Creek, NSW, June 2024]

Chewed-off flower stands left behind under a Eucalyptus citriodora
[Eulah Creek, NSW, June 2024]

Pruning around the nest hollow

Pruning around the nest hollow (rather than just re-shaping the entrance to the hollow) is possibly done to clear the field-of-view from the nest entrance and/or to remove perches, on which, e.g., predators could perch while waiting for the fledglings to leave their nest. We have once found a Brown Falcon doing exactly that.

Overview of a tree where a pair of Little Corellas have decided to nest (upper right of the "V" fork) (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Example of a twig removed by a pair of Little Corellas from near their nest entrance (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Overview of the litter produced a pair of Little Corellas (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

Even when the nearby branches had been defoliated, the pair did their best to further cut back twigs and branches
(photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Perry Lakes, Perth, WA, June 2024]

See the main page describing the Little Corella for more photos of the same pair working on their nest hollow.

Pruning for no apparent reason

In some cases there is no discernible reason, at least nof for humans, why parrots/cockatoos wreck branches. The example below shows damage caused by Sulphur-crested Cockatoos.

Eucalypt with chewed-off branches left behind under it (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Narrabri Lake, Narrabri, NSW, June 2024]

Chewed-off branches left behind under a eucalypt (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Narrabri Lake, Narrabri, NSW, June 2024]

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.

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