Parrot banks | Facts & Information

Origin

The species is commonly found in eucalyptus forests along river courses. In the northern parts of the rivers these birds gather in large flocks. They are somewhat dependent on trees because they make their nests and feed on seeds from trees.

Prefer drier parts. They are considered damage to agriculture. Besides eucalyptus trees can be found in several habitats: Meadows, Acacia forests, dense tropical forests, and so on. During seasonal periods they migrate to more food-rich areas.

The population of Southern Australia is on the verge of extinction due to habitat loss, that is, due to the felling of trees. Of all black cockatoo parrots this species adapts best to poultry farming. They are generally rare and expensive outside Australia.

The species was first described by ornithologist John Latham in 1970. The bird has the distinction of being the first bird in Australia to depict a european. Its name comes from the Greek language and means "hidden beak".

Feeding Parrot Banks

Although they feed on various types of seeds, their basic food remains eucalyptus seeds.

They use their beak to break branches with seeds that they hold with their foot until they finish. Then release them on the ground.

Besides seeds and nuts they also feed on berries, other fruits, insects and Allocasuarine, Banksia, Grevillea and Hakea.

Features Parrot Banks

Banks ' Cockatoo parrot is about 60cm long (24 inches). Unlike other species of parrots it can differentiate sexually relatively easily. The male is black in color and can easily highlight the prominent crest in the head area, similar to a crown.

The beak is dark gray. The tail is also black but has two red spots, hence the international name of the red-tailed cockatoo parrot. Females also have black feathers and yellow stripes on the tail and chest.

Males weigh 700-900 grams while females are slightly lighter with only 600-800 grams. Like other species of parrots, they have zygodactyl fingers, two fingers facing forward and two behind.

With this advantage they can stand on one leg while with the other they can grab various objects or feed themselves. The young have the color of the female. In adulthood, males change color. The yellow stripes become more and more pale while the red spots appear.

Maturity is expected around the age of 4 years. The complete process of changing the color of the plumage lasts 4 years.

It is a diurnal and noisy species that flies to higher heights in small flocks, sometimes alongside other species of cockatoo parrots. Flocks of up to 500 birds are frequently seen in the northern area especially when they find a food source.

It is a species shy of man. He likes to fly high.

Like other cockatoo parrots live well and long in captivity. In 1938 at the zoo in Taronga one specimen exceeded 50 years. Besides this, there are specimens that have reached almost this age.

Banks knows how to talk and does a great job with his peers. It has a few ringing tones that it uses only in flight. They are used for various events: alarm, call, etc. they spend 10-12h of the day feeding and then go to drink water.

As the evening goes on, everyone heads to the nest.

Calyptorhynchus banksii banksii in Queensland

Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne in southwestern Victoria and southeastern South Australia

Calyptorhynchus banksii macrorhynchus across northern Australia.

Calyptorhynchus banksii naso in the southwest corner of Western Australia

Calyptorhynchus banksii samueli in four different areas

Breeding Parrot Banks

The male woos the female by flaunting her crest and cheek feathers. He hides his beak and sings. Then he jumps and flaunts his tail. The female often responds by biting him.

Mating usually takes place from May to September. After mating the pairs nest during the summer period from December to February (bird native to Australia). Depending on the subspecies the average is 1-2 Cubs.

Hatching and rearing of chicks takes place in the large vertical nests of tall trees. Usually, isolated trees are preferred.

The same nest can be used for many years. The nest can be 1 - 2m deep and 25-50cm diameter.

At birth the chicks are covered by a yellow puff that slowly disappears after 6-7 weeks. In the case of the little ones, the law of Darwinism applies, the larger and stronger usually survives.

Life expectancy is 35-50 years.