Pink Cockatoo - profile

Indicative distribution

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Key:

known

predicted

The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas. ( click here to see geographic restrictions). The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.

Scientific name: Lophochroa leadbeateri

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Endangered

Profile last updated: 11 Oct 2024

Description

An unmistakable cockatoo of the dry inland, the Pink Cockatoo is the only Australian cockatoo that is salmon-pink below and white above. It is also called the wijugla in Wiradjuri Language, and until recently was listed under the name of Cacatua leadbeateri. It is smaller than the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo C. galerita, but slightly larger than a Galah Eolophus roseicapillus. Its most prominent feature is its large white-tipped crest that is banded in red and gold. Its call is a distinctive stammering whinny.

The eastern subspecies Lophochroa leadbeateri leadbeateri is listed as Endangered under Commonwealth legislation. It is the only subspecies found in NSW.

Distribution

Found across the arid and semi-arid inland, from south-western Queensland south to north-west Victoria, through most of South Australia, north into the south-west Northern Territory and across to the west coast between Shark Bay and about Jurien. In NSW it is found regularly as far east as about Bourke and Griffith, and sporadically further east than that.

Habitat and ecology

Inhabits a wide range of treed and treeless inland habitats, always within easy reach of water.
Feeds mostly on the ground, especially on the seeds of native and exotic melons and on the seeds of species of saltbush, wattles and cypress pines.
Normally found in pairs or small groups, though flocks of hundreds may be found where food is abundant.
Nesting, in tree hollows, occurs throughout the second half of the year; nests are at least 1 km apart, with no more than one pair every 30 square kilometres.

Regional distribution and habitat

Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.

Threats

Clearing of woodlands.
Heavy grazing of feeding areas resulting in the removal of seeding grasses and preventing regeneration of food plants.
Loss of existing and future hollow-bearing trees.
Illegal nest-robbing and trapping.

Recovery strategies

A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.

Activities to assist this species

Manage grazing in feeding areas to prevent loss of food resources.
Fence areas of habitat, exclude stock and control rabbits to assist regeneration of trees, shrubs and native grasses.
Protect existing and future hollow-bearing trees for nest sites.
Monitor known nesting sites to deter poachers.

Information sources

Forshaw, J.M. (2003) Australian Parrots. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood)
Higgins, P.J. (ed.) (1999) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 4: Parrots to Dollarbird.
Robinson, D. and Traill, B.J. (1996) Conserving woodland birds in the wheat and sheep belts of southern Australia. RAOU Conservation Statement No. 10. (Birds Australia, Melbourne)

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Moonie-Barwon Interfluve	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Narrandool	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga	Known	None
Brigalow Belt South	Pilliga Outwash	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Talbragar Valley	Known	None
Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range	Known	None
Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range Outwash	Known	None
Broken Hill Complex	Mootwingee Downs	Known	None
Broken Hill Complex	Scopes Range	Known	None
Channel Country	Bulloo	Known	None
Channel Country	Bulloo Dunefields	Known	None
Channel Country	Central Depression	Known	None
Channel Country	Core Ranges	Predicted	None
Channel Country	Sturt Stony Desert	Predicted	None
Cobar Peneplain	Barnato Downs	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Boorindal Plains	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Canbelego Downs	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Lachlan Plains	Known	None
Cobar Peneplain	Nymagee	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Bogan-Macquarie	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Castlereagh-Barwon	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Culgoa-Bokhara	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Great Darling Anabranch	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Louth Plains	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Menindee	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Pooncarie-Darling	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Warrambool-Moonie	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Wilcannia Plains	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Cuttaburra-Paroo	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Kerribree Basin	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Nebine Plains	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo Overflow	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo-Darling Sands	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Urisino Sandplains	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Plains	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Sands	Known	None
Mulga Lands	West Warrego	Known	None
Mulga Lands	White Cliffs Plateau	Known	None
Murray Darling Depression	Braemer	Known	None
Murray Darling Depression	Darling Depression	Known	None
Murray Darling Depression	South Olary Plain	Known	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Inland Slopes	Known	None
NSW South Western Slopes	Lower Slopes	Known	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None
Other State	VIC	Known	None
Riverina	Lachlan	Known	None
Riverina	Murray Fans	Known	None
Riverina	Murray Scroll Belt	Known	None
Riverina	Murrumbidgee	Known	None
Riverina	Robinvale Plains	Known	None
Simpson Strzelecki Dunefields	Strzelecki Desert	Known	None