Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo
Cacatua leadbeateri
WILD STATUS
Least Concern.
DISTRIBUTION
Interior of Australia.
SIZE
Length: about 35 cm (12-15 in).
Weight: Approx 300 - 400 gms (or approx 12.5 ozs).
HABITAT
Scrublands and grasslands along waterways. Nomadic in areas of sparse water, and settled in areas of plentiful water.
REPRODUCTION
Eggs are laid in tree hollows with bark stripped from the tree used to line the nest. Average 2 to 4 eggs per laying. Incubated by both male and female for 30 days. Male sits during the day and female sits at night. Chicks leave the nest 8 weeks after hatching and form a family group with the parents.
DIET
Seeds, particularly acacia and callitris seeds, fruit, berries, nuts, flowers and roots.
INTERESTING TIDBITS
- Major Mitchell's Cockatoos are white and pink with a crest. The crest appears white when down, but shows bright red and yellow bands when raised.
- They spend a good portion of the day searching on the ground for grass seeds, fruits, nuts, berries, and roots.
- They are social birds, but prefer to live as pairs or in small groups rather than large flocks.
ANIMAL FACT SHEET
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