Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (inland subspecies) - 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: Calyptorhynchus banksii samueli

Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable

Commonwealth status: Not listed

Gazetted date: 31 Jul 2009

Profile last updated: 31 Jul 2024

Description

The Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is a large black cockatoo with a strong bill and large crest. Male birds have a broad band of bright red across the tail. Female and immature birds have yellow spots on the head, neck and wings, yellowish bars across the chest and a paler red band across the tail. This species can be distinguished from the similar Glossy Black-Cockatoo by its greater size, large crest and louder call.

Distribution

The Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is the most widespread of the genus, ranging broadly across much of Australia. Two subspecies occur in NSW, one in north eastern NSW and an inland subspecies that also extends through Queensland in to the Northern Territory (the extensive Western Australia population is no longer considered part of C. b. samueli. The Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (inland subspecies) is known to occur around watercourses and overflows of the Darling, Paroo, Bogan, Macquarie and Barwon Rivers extending in an arc along the Darling River from Wentworth (though rare south of Menindee) in the south to Bourke and thence through to Brewarrina in the north. It extends east to Walgett and perhaps Boggabilla on the Barwon and south through to the Macquarie Marshes.

Habitat and ecology

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos are found in a wide variety of habitats. Prefer Eucalyptus forest and woodlands, particularly river red gum and coolabah lined water courses. In the arid zone usually occur mainly near eucalypts along larger watercourses and associated Acacia and Casuarina woodlands nearby. Also utilise grasslands, scrublands, wetlands and vegetation on floodplains.

Regional distribution and habitat

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

Threats

Loss of native forest and especially riparian vegetation to agriculture and other developments.
Removal of large very old trees which contain the large hollows needed for nesting, including dead trees and paddock trees.
Too frequent burning of habitat resulting in a reduction of food resources.
Inappropriate grazing regimes which prevents regeneration of food resources and leads to loss of habitat trees through erosion of riverbanks.
Illegal removal of eggs and chicks for the aviculture trade. This species does not breed well in captivity.

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

Protect areas of habitat from frequent fire.
Retain large trees or trees with hollows to provide nesting sites, including dead trees and isolated paddock trees.
Provide nest boxes for breeding where birds are visiting but nest sites are not available.
Protect areas of habitat from overgrazing.
Protect nest sites from disturbance.
Protect areas of habitat used for nesting or feeding from clearing or fragmentation.
Report any nesting records to the OEH.
Report suspected illegal bird trapping and egg collecting to the OEH.

Information sources

Barrett, G., Silcocks, A., Barry, S., Cunningham, R. and Poulter, R. (2003) The New Atlas of Australian Birds. (Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union, Hawthorn East, Vic)
Barrett, G.W., Silcocks, A.F., Cunningham, R., Oliver, D.L., Weston, M.A. and Baker, J. (2007) Comparison of atlas data to determine the conservation status of bird species in New South Wales, with an emphasis on woodland-dependent species. Australian Zoologist 34: 37-77
Cameron, M. (2007) Cockatoos. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood)
Higgins, P.J. (ed.) (1999) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Volume 4: Parrots to Dollarbird.
Maron, M. (2005) Agricultural change and paddock tree loss: implications for an endangered species of Red-tailed Black Cockatoo. Ecological Management and Restoration 6(3): 207-212
NSW Scientific Committee (2008) Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (inland subspecies) Calyptorhynchus banksii samueli - Review of Current Information in NSW.
NSW Scientific Committee (2009) Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (inland subspecies) Calyptorhynchus banksii samueli - Vulnerable species determination - final.

IBRA Bioregion	IBRA Subregion	Known or predicted	Geographic restrictions region

Brigalow Belt South	Moonie-Barwon Interfluve	Predicted	None
Brigalow Belt South	Narrandool	Known	None
Broken Hill Complex	Barrier Range Outwash	Known	None
Broken Hill Complex	Scopes Range	Predicted	None
Cobar Peneplain	Barnato Downs	Predicted	Within 30 km of the Darling River
Cobar Peneplain	Boorindal Plains	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Bogan-Macquarie	Known	North of Nyngan
Darling Riverine Plains	Castlereagh-Barwon	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Culgoa-Bokhara	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Louth Plains	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Menindee	Known	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Warrambool-Moonie	Predicted	None
Darling Riverine Plains	Wilcannia Plains	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Nebine Plains	Known	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo Overflow	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Paroo-Darling Sands	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Plains	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	Warrego Sands	Predicted	None
Mulga Lands	West Warrego	Known	None
Murray Darling Depression	Darling Depression	Known	None
Ocean	Tweed-Moreton	Predicted	None
Other State	QLD	Known	None
Other State	SA	Known	None

Sounds

Images

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo Image 1 of 2.
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