![]() It’s thought that drumming might also be a way a pair reinforces their bond after they have established their relationship. Like a lot of bird calls, the drumming probably serves as a territory announcement and a way to attract a mate. Field researchers found that each male has its own rhythmic style, and recorded birds sometimes drumming 200 beats in a row. Holding the instrument in one foot (almost always the left!), the bird bangs it repeatedly against the hollow section of the stump. While a number of animals use tools, palm cockatoos are among the few that actually make a tool by breaking off a branch and, if needed, biting off bits until it is about eight inches long they sometimes use a hard seedpod instead of a stick. The cockatoo uses its beak to rub the substance over its feathers, creating a waterproof coating. The pale gray “dust” on a palm cockatoo’s feathers is called powder down, a fine, waxy powder created by special feathers in these (and certain other) birds. A tree cavity not only makes for a cozy nest, but is key to a unique behavior in these birds: drumming. Which is not to say the other spots go unused by the birds. A pair of palm cockatoos may make a number of nests within their territory, but only actually use one as the spot for eggs and chicks. The accumulation of broken bits forms a platform that keeps the precious egg elevated above any water that collects. During nest preparation, the birds fetch thin sticks, break them into small pieces, and drop them into the cavity. What happens when it rains? No roof, no problem. Palm cockatoos seek out hollow stumps that are open at the top. ![]() And while they, like other cockatoos, raise their young in tree hollows, they have more specific nest requirements. They have a very slow life cycle, breeding every two years as opposed to the yearly breeding of their kin. Home Is Where the Hollow IsĪppearances aside, palm cockatoos differ from other parrots and cockatoos in other ways, too. Like other types of parrots, a palm cockatoo’s grasping feet and powerful beak are used to stabilize food items for eating. They round out their diet with other types of fruits, nuts, and leaf buds. In fact, the birds’ common name comes from the fact they they are so often seen feeding in those trees (which, again, are not actually palms, but oh, well). Pandanus fruit is a palm cockatoo favorite. With their big beak, these birds are able to crack the large, tough nut of the pandanus plant (often called a palm, but it’s not). When the bird is excited, the spot flushes from dark pink to orange-red to scarlet in color. The “bright spot” on a palm cockatoo’s face is the featherless patch of red skin under its ebony eyes. A fine, white powder from exfoliated down feathers covers their body, making the black plumage appear dusky gray. Native to northern Queensland, Australia, and New Guinea, this species is the largest of all cockatoos (measuring up to 25 inches from head to tail) and they also have the largest beak among their kind. These “tall, dark, and handsome” birds have a home in the Zoo’s Conrad Prebys Australian Outback, and they are really a sight to see! The Subtle Approach BY Wendy Perkins Photography by Ken BohnĪmong the frequently flashy-hued birds that make up the parrot group, the palm cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus stands out by virtue of its somber coloring. Somber shading and a surprising behavior are part of this species' offbeat tale.
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