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Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo
Tail feather (rectrix), likely from the lateral rectrices

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo

Kingdom: Animalia, Phylum: Chordata, Class: Aves, Order: Psittaciformes, Family: Cacatuidae, Genus: Zanda, Species: Z. funerea

Family: Cacatuidae (Cockatoos)

Shape
Symmetrical vane with a rounded to slightly truncated tip, elongated outline, and even margins
Size
Approximately 8-10 inches long, consistent with a medium-to-large rectrix from a large cockatoo species
Rarity
Common within its localized range, though some subspecies or populations face increasing threats
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Description

A large, striking black cockatoo with prominent yellow cheek patches and a brilliant yellow panel on the tail feathers. Known for their loud, wailing calls and strong, lumbering flight style as they move through the forest canopy in family groups or flocks.

Colour & Pattern

Predominantly dark charcoal grey-black across most of the vane, featuring a striking, vibrant bright yellow panel or band neatly restricted to the terminal tip

Barb Structure

Pennaceous vane in the upper portion transitioning to a plumulaceous, slightly frayed base with an indistinct afterfeather

Texture & Surface

Smooth and matte appearance on the pennaceous vane, becoming softer and fluffier towards the proximal base

Key Features

Dark greyish-black body with a distinct, sharply defined bright yellow tip on a robust tail feather

Habitat

Eucalypt woodlands, pine plantations, and temperate rainforests of southeastern Australia

Geographic Range

Southeastern Australia, including eastern New South Wales, Victoria, and parts of South Australia and Tasmania

Ecological Role

Acts as an important seed predator and forest health indicator by controlling wood-boring insect populations

Similar Species

Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii), which features bright red or orange tail panels instead of yellow

Interesting Facts

These cockatoos use their massive, powerful bills to rip into dead wood in search of wood-boring beetle larvae, leaving distinct signature scars on trees

Condition Notes

Good overall condition with minor wear and fraying at the extreme basal plumulaceous barbs