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by Stan Sindel , EditorJs Note: Stan Sindel is a noted and well-respected avicultur­ ist from Sydney} Australia. He pre­ sented two papers at the 1985 national AFA convention in San Francisco) California) one ofwhich was Australian . This article deals with the Australian cockatoos found in their natural The Slender-billed Js elongated upper mandible is used to dig in the ground and in Australian avicul­ for roots and bulbs. They also dig up newlyplantedgrain and it isfor this reason they are considered an agriculturalpest and are often destroyed. ture. Mr. Sindel is the author of the book} "Australian Lorikeets.JJ We have eleven and many of cockatoos in Australia. Two of these subspecies are quite di tinct. For avicultural purposes, I shall deal with them as separate species; they are the White-tailed and the Western Long-billed . When one considers there are only 18 species of cockatoos in the world, it is clear that the Australian cockatoo family is very well represented. One or more species of cockatoo may be seen in every form of habitat found over the entire continent. The , Gang Gang and are monotypic; that is, they are the only member of their . The is the only member of its entire sub-family (Calopsittacini). Some of the species, uch as Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, and Short-billed Corellas, now exist in almost plague proportions particu­ larly in some of the farming areas. The clearing of land for grazing and the development of permanent water The female Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Gang-gang cockatoos are oftenfound in for stock purposes, particularly in the has a yellow spotting or barring on its high} rugged mountainous areas of more arid areas, has helped these head and upper body in comparison to southeastern Australia and . three species to extend their range the solid dark male. Only the male has a red head.

afa WATCHBIRD 19 and expand their numbers. The popu­ let and sorghum, and even these seeds Marsh Farms lation explosions that have resulted should be fed in limited quantities. put these in jeopardy. The birds All cockatoos enjoy, and should be INCUBATORS now suffer from massive extermina­ given, sprouted seeds (particularly tion efforts in the farming districts. sunflower and maize), sweet corn, • FEATURING fully automatic All species are still surviving well in wholemeal bread, raw peanuts, vari­ turners. Adjustable temperature and humidity control. the wild with the exception of the ous fruits and vegetables, a variety of Major Mitchell Cockatoo. That spe­ green foods, table scrap bones such as cies still exists in reasonable numbers. chop bones, chicken bones, and the The species is suffering from the side like. One can add, on occasion, a effects of poisoning and general little raw meat (particularly for Gang persecution by the farmers. While the Gangs and black cockatoos), plain farmers' depopulation efforts are cake, biscuits and dog kibble. directed at the Sulphur-crested Cock­ Bob Lynn attributes some of his TURN-X atoos and the Galahs that inhabit the success with the black cockatoos to Up to 72 eggs. same areas, the Major Mitchell species feeding them Casurina cones. He also suffers as well. The Long-billed feeds his black cockatoos Banksia, Corella is also in a vulnerable posi­ Hakea and pine cones. tion. The vulnerability is due to the Bob Lynn and I have both found species' limited range, which extends that baby cockatoos being reared by into the grain growing areas. The the parents often suffer from calcium numbers of Long-billed Corellas are deficiencies. We have overcome such high, but constant persecution due to deficiencies by feeding a calcium sup­ its habit of damaging crops, places plement on the sprouted seeds. the species at great risk. Feeding a good balanced diet to ROLL-X I have been fortunate enough to cockatoos is one thing, getting them Up to 209 eggs. have observed all species and most to eat that balanced diet is another. subspecies in the wild. Even so, as a Perseverance and cunning is needed native Australian, I am still thrilled by to get some individual birds to eat the sight of black cockatoos, Major what you know they should eat. Bob Mitchell Cockatoos and Gang Gangs Lynn dusts all his sunflower seeds in their natural habitat. with a mineral and vitamin supple­ Over the last 20 years, I have bred ment and he feels this is having a all the non-black species of Australian desired effect. cockatoos, with the exception of the When hand rearing cockatoos, I Sulphur-crested Cockatoo. I have feed a mixture of two parts "Farex" never kept the Palm or the black baby food, one part chicken starter cockatoos. All the avicultural infor­ pellets and one part egg and biscuit mation on the black cockatoos is canary rearing food, together with given by Mr. Bob Lynn of Sydney, calcium, mineral and vitamin supple­ Australia. I consider Mr. Lynn to be ments. the greatest aviculturist in Australia today. He keeps only black cockatoos, Housing and in specializing in this family I In Australia, as everywhere else in believe he chose one of the most the world, aviaries vary considerably. difficult ofavicultural subjects. I believe that a minimum aviary size He has bred all species including for the smaller cockatoos should be the Palm Cockatoo and the Yellow­ 15 feet long, 3 feet wide, and 7 feet tailed Black Cockatoo for the first high. For the black cockatoos a mini­ time in , in the world. mum of 24 feet long, 4 feet wide and Australian aviculturists do not con­ 8 feet high is required. I have bred sider a hand-reared to be a first Major Mitchell's Cockatoos and breeding. To achieve a first breeding Short-billed Corellas in an aviary 6 award, the youngster must be reared feet long, 3 feet wide and 5 feet high. to independence by the parents. Under such conditions, the lack of exercise will eventually promote egg MANUFACTURED BY Diets binding in the hens. Cockatoos represent such a diverse My cockatoo aviaries have a 6 foot family that diets must, of necessity, shelter on one end and a 6 foot roofed l-JPJi.r:~ vary considerably. In general, a basic area on the other. I provide only two mixed seed diet of sunflower, canary, perches, one at each end of the 2765 MAIN STREET Dept". W CHULA VISTA, CA 92011 U.S.A. maize, sorghum, safflower, wheat and aviary. This forces the birds to fly the TELEPHONE: (619) 585-9900 millet may be fed to all species, with maximum length of the aviary. I the exception of the Galah. The Galah prefer solid walled partitions. Use of is very subject to obesity. I feed those WE ACCEPT ~I such partitions eliminates disturb­ :OJ birds only the basic diet of white mil- ance caused by neighbors and injuries 20 February I March 1990 from birds fighting through wire partitions. Bob Lynn provides large aviaries AVIAN PUBLICATIONS for his black cockatoos. Some are as / much as 40 feet long, 15 feet wide 3311 W. Country Club Lane, Depl. AFA. Altoona, WI 54720. (715) 835-6806 and 10 feet high. All of his aviaries are Over 200 Titles Including: well sheltered, particularly from Clinical Avian Medicine & Surgery, Eagles. Hawks & Falcons Of The World. prevailing winds. Some of the aviaries Harrison , S85.00 Brown... S59.98 are fully roofed. Everybird. A Guide To Bird Health. The Birds of Africa. Vol. I, Suspended cages are also in use MacWhiner S36.00 Brown.. ,.SI43.00 Caged Bird Medicine. The Birds of Africa. Vol. 2. in Australia, for housing cockatoos. Steiner. D.V.M...... S24.95 Urban SI43.00 It is too early to ascertain just how Companion Bird Medicine. Burr ....S38.95 The Birds of Africa. Vol. 3. Avian Hematology & Cytology. Fry S129.00 successful such cages will be for Campbell S39.95 The Life Of The Hummingbird. our cockatoos, under Australian Understanding The Life Of Birds. Skulch , ..SI8.95 conditions. Coyle. Jr. . S21.95 South American Birds. How To Build Everything You Need For Dunning he $47.50 pb S35.00 Your Birds. Larosa S 9.95 Aviculture In Australia. Shephard .. S55.00 Palm Cockatoo The Bird Care Book. Gerstenfeld SIO.95 Birds Of Burma. Smythies S95.00 (Probosciger aterimus) Australian Cockatoos. Sindel S50.00 Monograph Of Endangered . Parrots. Their Care & Breeding. Silva SI40.00 Sexes alike, but the male is larger. Low...... S80.00 Incubation Procedures. Length is 23-112 inches. The Complete Book Of Parrots. Jordan S30.00 Low ,, S16.95 Land Of Parrots Video Tapes- Range: These birds are found in the Hand-Rearing Parrots & Other Birds. sel of 7 ...... S294.00 top part of the Cape York Peninsula. Low , S24.95 The Palm Cockatoo is contained in its present limited northern range by a U.S. Orders: Add S2.50 for 1st book and SOC for each additional book. belt of arid country which prevents Foreign Orders: Add $4.00 for 1st book and SI.OO for each additional book. the species from reaching more suit­ Wisconsin residents add 5% sales tax. Send $2.00 for our complete catalog. able habitat further south. I have PRICES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE found the species to be reasonably plentiful within its range. I feel the survival of the species is assured, providing the habitat remains untouched. The Palms feed on native nuts, seeds and fruit, and seem to prefer the nuts of the Pandanus palm. The Palm Cockatoo has seldom Pure, natural, and cleaned... been bred in captivity. The future of finest cuttlebone available. the species in aviculture is in the small 6" - 7" • medium 7" - 10" • jumbo 10" - 13" • mixed sizes hands of aviculturists outside Austra­ lia. There are a few of these birds in Australian aviaries. The few now in aviculture are mainly very old birds. Unless the wildlife authorities allow more of the species to be taken into captivity, there can be no future for Sibs. at $3.90 per lb. = $19.50 them in Australian aviculture. 10 Ibs. at $3.00 = $30.00 (M' . per lb. Inlmum The hen Palm Cockatoo lays one All orders prepaid and shipped freight collectorder 5 Ibs.) egg, which is incubated by both the male and the female. The incubation FEATURING AUIC@~.I'" ~.I", ~ period is approximately 34 days. The LORY AND SOFTBILL DIETS young remain in the nest for approxi­ mately 12 weeks. This cockatoo has the unusual habit of building a nest Lory Life ~ :g~: ~ 1~:~~ Lory Life Nectar ~ :g~: ~~i:~~ platform of sticks and twigs, picked up and chewed for such use. OTHER SPECIAL NECTAVORE DIETS AVAILABLE Bob Lynn has bred the Palm Cock­ With the addition of fresh fruits these are complete diets. atoo on three occasions. The birds nested in a log with a natural spout Wholesale and breeder inlet, which stood five feet high, had (213) 776-6486 prices available. an internal diameter of two feet and Dick Schroeder: breeder of softbills, rare lories, and parrots was filled to within one and one-half feet of the entrance with chewed Cuttlebone Plus • 644 S. Isis Ave., Dept. A, Inglewood, CA 9030 1 sticks, put there by both the male and female. I saw a first chick just a few days after it left the nest. It was a mag­ nificent youngster, four inches longer

afa WATCHBIRD 21 than its father, even at that early age. Palm Cockatoos are not dependent on a supply of native food to ensure production of trong, healthy young. Bob found when rearing young, the birds actually preferred a domesti­ cated diet consisting of various nuts and seeds. Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchusfunereusfunereus) The sexes differ in this species. The male has a black beak, pink eye ring and a dull yellow cheek patch. The female has a horn colored beak, dark grey eye ring and a bright yellow cheek patch. Length is 24 inches. Range: They are found in eastern and southeastern Australian and Tasmania. There are two subspecies, Calyp­ torhynchus funereus funereus from the northern and eastern parts of the Casuarina cones are commonly eaten byglossy cockatoos in the wild.. and are often range, and funer­ fed to them while in captivity. Some aviculturists believe this cone is essential to the eus xanthanothus from Tasmania and 7 bird s well being. the extreme southern section of the Q) c mainland range. O'l ~ The Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo CD is in good numbers throughout its E range. I frequently see small flocks, or o (5 a family party (consisting of an adult .£ 0.... pair and the previous season young­ ster), whenever I spend time in the ", Adultfemale mountains west of Sydney. The birds White-tailed have a large range through mountain­ -:; Black Cock­ ous and heavily forested country, atoo on nest. which I feel ensures their survival. Two eggs are They feed on seeds from Eucalyp­ normally tus, Hakea, Acacia and Banksia. They laid but have also adapted to and feed on usually only seeds from the introduced pines. This one chick is species is also very fond of the larvae reared in the wild. of various moths and beetles. The Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo was first bred in captivity by Bob Lynn in 1963. In more recent years, it has been bred by several other avicul­ turists in Au tralia. The hen of the species lays two eggs. The incubation period is about 30 days and is carried out by the female only. The last chick to hatch is almost always allowed to die within the first few days. The young spend approximately 12 weeks in the nest. White-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus baudinii) The sexes differ in this species. The male has a black beak, pink eye ring and a dull white cheek patch. The female has a horn colored beak, dark grey eye ring and a bright white cheek patch. Length is about 25 inches. Bob Lynn, a noted breeder ofblack cockatoos, shows great affection to a female Range: They are found in south­ glossy that wasparent-reared in his aviaries in Sydney, Australia. In 1968, Mr. Lynn .

achieved a ((worldfirst 7 7 for the successful rearing ofthe blackpalm cockatoo. There are two subspecies, Calyp-

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A occurring in the Rose-breasted(or The Leadbeater)s (or Major Mitchell)s) Cockatoo is a very popular Austra­ Galah) Cockatoo is a dark-eyed white. The lian cockatoo with American aviculturists. normalgrey color is replaced with white. These birds werephotographed in Stan Sindel's aviary. torhynchus funereus baudinii) from duced pines and insect larvae. is reared, and it spends about 12 the extreme southwest of the range, This species has been bred several weeks in the nest. and Calyptorhynchus funereus latir­ times in captivity. Bob Lynn bred it ostris) from the rest of the range. first in the early seventies. The hen Red-tailed Black Cockatoo The White-tailed Black Cockatoo is lays two eggs. The incubation period (Calyptorhynchus magnificus) still in good numbers throughout its is approximately 30 days, and is Sexes differ in this species. The range. When in western Australia, I carried out by the female only. It male has a general blackish appear­ had no trouble seeing both subspecies appears, as in the case of the Yellow­ ance with broad red bars in the tail in the wild. tailed, that invariably only one chick and a blackish beak. The female is They feed on native seeds such as ;;;:1====E~a!!!!~~~~§==-~_I1§~~~=~(/) Dryandra, Hakea, Erodium, intro- 0.. E o CD .c c I- OJ ~ ~~~~I~ C13 en :~~""""""~_IO -0 .6 c o co (5 CD .c OJ 0... -0o o o CD OJo CD C)

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The female glossy cockatoo can be identified by the White-tailed Black Cockatoo babies at 4 and 25 days ofage. Note long, fuzzy yellow feathering found throughout the neck and feathers at a very early age which disappear when blackfeathers emerge. head areas. It also has a yellow or orange wash in its tail barring. afa \\l\TCHBIRD 23 generally browner with yellow spot­ The Glossy Black Cockatoos are ies and is bred many times each ting and barring over the head and doing well in the wild. They are season. I find a compatible pair is body, yellow to orange barring in the usually seen in pairs or in a family essential. My best pair of Gang Gangs tail, and a horn colored beak. Length group. I have often seen them feeding use a vertical log 2 feet long and 12 is 23 to 27 inches, according to the on Casuarina cones in national parks inches internal diameter, with an race. on the outskirs of Sydney. entrance hole near the top. The hen Range: Northern and northeastern Their diet appears to be basically lays two eggs, and very occasionally Australia, central Australia, inland the seed from Casuarinas, but seed three. The incubation period is 24 eastern Australia, and southwestern from Angophera, Acacia, Eucalyptus days and is shared by both parents. Australia, and a small isolated popula­ and insect larvae are also eaten. The young remain in the nest about tion in southern Australia. This species is now more com­ seven weeks. There are four subspecies, Calyp­ monly kept in Australian aviaries and Feather plucking is a serious prob­ torhynchus magnificus magnificus has been bred by several aviculturists lem with captive Gang Gangs. I do from northeastern Australia, Calyp­ in the last few years. Bob Lynn bred not believe this is a dietary condition, torhynchus magnificus macrorhyn­ them first in the early seventies. He but more of a psychological problem. chus from northwestern Australia, still believes a constant supply of I find plucking seldom occurs in Calyptorhynchus magnificus Casuarina cones is essential for their compatible pairs and I believe the samueli occurring in four isolated successful maintenance in captivity. condition is often brought on by populations in inland Australia, and His results substantiate this belief, boredom. A cinnamon mutation of Calyptorhynchus magnificus naso although some aviculturists are now the Gang Gang has been recorded. from southwestern Australia. keeping the birds on a totally domes­ All species are in good numbers in ticated diet. Galah the wild. I recently saw a flock of The hen lays one egg, The incuba­ (Eolophus roseicapillus) over 1,000 birds of magnificus on tion period is about 30 days and is Sexes differ with the male having a Cape York Peninsula. Some years carried out by the female only. The dark brown eye and the female a cop­ ago, I observed macrorhynchus in young spend 12 weeks in the nest. perish red eye. Immatures all have large numbers in the Northern Terri­ light brown eyes. Length is 14 inches. tory, and I have seen samueli and Gang Gang Cockatoo Range: Almost the entire continent, naso in smaller flocks. (Callocephalon fimbriatum) and eastern Tasmania. The species feeds on Eucalyptus, The sexes differ in this species. The There are two subspecies. Eolo­ Acacia, Casuarina, Hakea and Banksia male has a red head and the female phus roseicapillus roseicapillus, seeds, fruits, berries, blossoms, has orange barring on the chest and which has a deep pink eye ring, found insects and their larvae. belly. Young birds are similar to the through the entire range. Eolophus These black cockatoos are the most female, but the male can be distin­ roseicapillus assimilis, with its paler commonly kept and bred in Australia. guished by some red feathering on plumage and a greyish white eye ring, It is hardier and more adaptable than the head. Length is 14 inches. is found in southwestern Australia. any of the other species. Many avicul­ Range: Southeastern Australia and Forshaw designates the Galah as turists maintain and breed these black northern Tasmania. being a monotypic genus and I agree cockatoos on a totally domesticated This is a monotypic genus which I with him. diet without the addition of native feel resembles the black cockatoos in It is by far the most successful, foods. general habits and feeding patterns. numerous, and prolific species of Bob Lynn has bred the species They are still doing well in the wild cockatoo in Australia. It is constantly many times. He has one pair that go but do suffer at the hands of illegal extending its range. The bird exists in to nest every seven months without trappers. A successful future for these massive numbers in some areas. It is fail and this pair has reared over 30 birds is, I believe, assured if only common in most cities and towns youngsters in the last 20 years. The because of the rugged nature of most throughout Australia. It has extended hen usually lays one egg, sometimes of their habitat and the habit of nest­ its range from inland Australia, across two, and the incubatino period is ing in high trees in deep mountain the mountain onto the coastal plains about 30 days. Brooding is carried out gullies. around Sydney. by the female only. The babies leave The Gang Gangs are very nomadic The birds eat seeds of grasses, the nest after 12 weeks. Usually only in their movements but are usually shrubs and trees. They also eat fruit, one baby is reared. seen in certain areas at the same time nuts, berries, herbage, insects and, in each year. Gang Gangs are my favorite fact, almost anything that is edible. Glossy Black Cockatoo cockatoo and although I have seen They cause massive crop damage and (Calayptorhynchus lathami) them many times in the wild, often in are exterminated in large numbers. The sexes differ in this species. The large flocks, I find it hard to describe While they have been bred many males are often brownish black with the feeling this species transmits to times in captivity, they are not widely broad red tail bars and a dark grey me. kept as an aviary bird but are com­ beak. The female has a yellow to These birds feed on the seeds of mon as cage birds. orange wash in the tail barring, and native trees and shrubs. The birds par­ The appearance of numerous muta­ the variable yellow feathering ticularly like Eucalyptus and Acacia. tions of Galahs has resulted in a few throughout the neck and head areas They also like the seeds of many more being kept for avicultural present a light grey look. Length is 20 introduced shrubs such as Pyracantha purposes. I find they are subject to inches. and Crataegus. They also eat berries, obesity in captivity and must be fed a Range: Eastern Australia. nuts, insects and larvae. limited diet. There are no subspecies. The species is widely held in aviar- The hen lays three to five eggs. The 24 February I March 1990 B GI u E

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The babies leave the nest aviary, although we have a cage bird aviary six feet long, but I do not in about seven weeks. The nesting that has been in the family for over 55 recommend these conditions. The chamber is lined with eucalyptus years. Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are hen will lay three or four eggs. Both leaves. very common as cage birds in Austra­ sexes incubate over a period of I have recorded Galah as lia. approximately 24 days. The young follows: albino, red-eyed cinnamon, The species has been bred on but a remain in the nest for eight weeks. black-eyed cinnamon (three distinct few occasions in Australia, not varieties), silver (another cinnamon because it is difficult to breed but Short-billed Corella or variety), a totally off white colored because it is so numerous. Bare-eyed Cockatoo bird, black-eyed (dilute) and a variety This species lays two and occasion­ ( pastinator) where the pink has been replaced by ally three eggs. Both sexes incubate Sexes are alike in this species. offwhite. for a period of approximately 26 Length is 15 inches. days. The young leave the nest at Range: Western, northern and the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo around eight weeks of age. interior ofeastern Australia. (Cacatua galerita) There is a lutino mutation of this There are three subspecies: The sexes are alike, but all males species in Australia at the moment. Cacatua pastinatorgymnopis, from have a very dark brown iris, while the southern sections of the range; most females, but not all, have a Major Mitchell's Cockatoo Cacatua pastinator sanguinea, reddish brown iris. Length is 20 (Cacatua leadbeateri) from the northwestern part of the inches. Sexes differ in that the male has a range; and Cacatua pastinator nor­ Range: Eastern and northern dark brown eye, whereas the female mantoni, from the northeastern part Australia and Tasmania. There is an has a reddish eye color. The hen also ofthe range. isolated, introduced population in has a broader yellow band in the This species exists in large numbers western Australia. and is paler in the belly. Length is 16 in most parts of its range and it is There are two subspecies. Cacatua inches. expanding its range in many areas. I galerita galerita, from the north­ Range: These birds are found in the have seen this species in large flocks eastern and eastern part of the range; arid and semi-arid interior of Austra­ almost everywhere I have traveled in and Cacatua galeritaJitzroyi, which lia, except for the northeastern the Australian . has yellow suffused cheek patches quarter. The diet consists of seeds, fruits, and a blue eye ring, from the north­ There are two subspecies, Cacatua nuts, berries, blossoms, and roots of western section of the range. leadbeateri leadbeateri from the native and introduced grasses, plants, This species is common in the northern and eastern parts of the shrubs, trees and insects. eastern section of its range and is in range. Cacatua leadbeateri mollis, I kept a breeding pair ofthis species plague proportions in some agricul­ which has more and a deeper red and many years ago in an aviary six feet tural areas. It may be seen in most less yellow in the crest, is from the long, six feet high and three feet cities and towns within its range. southwestern section of the range. wide. They bred for several seasons in They feed on the seeds of grasses, This species has declined in its this aviary. That all stopped when I herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees, range, probably due to land clearing gave the birds to a friend. The nesting nuts, fruits, blossoms and roots of for grazing purposes as it appears to log was one and one-half feet long both native and introduced plants, as be more dependent on woodlands and 12 inches internal diameter. The than the other inland species of log was hung vertically and it was cockatoos. fully open at the top. The hen usually ~. I have seen this species many times lays three eggs. Both sexes incubate 8. (ALl SCHMOTZER in western New South Wales and for a period of approximately 24 1I".ur"DTUIU.lJ Rt. 2, Box 303, La Grange, Texas 78945 southwestern Queensland. The birds days. The young leave the nest at ACRYLIC & WOOD FABRICATOR SPECIALIST are usually seen in pairs or in small about seven weeks. (409) 249-5258 (713) 780-7630 flocks. Many old time residents have LaGrange, TX Houston. TX told me of the larger numbers that Western Long-billed Corella used to inhabit the same areas fifty (Cacatua pastinatorpastinator) years ago. Sexes are alike in this species. Length The diet consists of seeds, fruits, is 16 inches. nuts, berries and roots of mainly Range: Southwestern Australia. TOM ROUDYBUSH native grasses, plants, trees and The Western Long-billed Corella is Owner insects. I have often seen this species classed as the nominate race of the (916) 661-1726 feeding on the seed of paddy melons, Short-billed Corella. I believe they are P.O. Box 331. DAVIS. CA 9156'7-0331 a type of melon common in inland quite distinct and I fail to see how Australia. two subspecies could inhabit the

document your collection The Major Mitchell's Cockatoo is, same area for thousands of years on film or video without doubt, the most beautiful without becoming one. Chris Christman (7t4)63r,S96 cockatoo in the world. It is a very The species formerly existed in Ron Acosta popular aviary bird in Australia. I large numbers over a wider range, but (71~823~517 have found it to be the easiest to has declined dramatically over the Barbara Bornlnkhof Sun Cil)'.CA breed of all our cockatoos. My (714) 679-9641 last fifty years. More recent reports records show I first bred them in indicate their numbers are increasing 26 February I March 1990 again. When I was in western Austra­ lia about 15 years ago, they were diffi­ THE ONLY COMPLETE PORTABLE AVIARY cult to find and I only saw odd pairs. Diet is similar to the Short-billed Corella, with the addition of more SOUTHWEST~~ root feeding. The elongated upper mandible is well adapted for digging. This species has seldom been bred CAGES in captivity. The clutch is two to three eggs. Incubation period is about 24 days. The young spend seven to eight weeks in the nest. Long-billed Corella or Slender-billed Corella (Cacatua tenuirostris) Sexes are alike in this species and there is no subspecies. Length is 16 inches. Range: A limited area of south­ eastern Australia. This species exists in large numbers within its limited range. It is respon­ sible for extensive crop damage. An Australian bird trapper boasts of holding a permit, issued by a State Wildlife Department, to trap one million of these birds. Of course, he will not trap that many because he • Assembles in One Hour 96" filled the market after trapping a few thousand. They currently retail for • Proven Breeder Success WORK STATION about $20 each. • Double Doors 48" Considering all aspects of the Long­ • Work Station billed Corella's situation, I feel they are in great danger and must be • Solid Floor 24" watched very closely. • Locking Front Door 4' x 8' x 6' The diet is similar to the other • \12" X I" Welded Wire corellas, but they are well adapted for the digging of roots and bulbs. • Mess Stays In - Rodents Stay Out I kept what I thought was a pair of • Other Sizes Available these birds for 15 years. They would never accept any nesting site I Proven breeding records have been established by breeders who have used offered, but insisted in excavating a our cages for over seven years. Designed for all species of birds. from hole under the concrete floor of the finches to conures. Feel free to call with any questions. house section of their aviary. I was almost certain they had laid on a few SEND FOR OUR FREE CATALOG occasions, but could never verify this due to the length and depth of the 3309 S. Jones St. • Fort Worth, Texas 76110· (817) 921-9538 hole. They were never successful in VISA We accept Visa and MasterCard orders. producing young, due to the hole caving in, rain filling it with water or some other disaster. In 1983, I had the birds surgically sexed. To my surprise, they were a pair. The next season I housed them The PB-1000TM in a different aviary. It was 24 feet long, 4 feet wide and 8 feet high. Portable Brooder There was an old nesting log 2 feet 6 inches long and 14 inches internal for the home and car! Ughtwelght and portable. The PB- 1000 Is the answer diameter hanging vertically in the for convenience when hand feeding birds. _ aviary. The Long-bills immediately Available in Three Sizes accepted this derelict log. In due -=- course, two eggs were laid which (303)223-7280 ~ were incubated by both parents. One egg was broken during incubation. THE FEATHER'S EDGE The incubation period was 24 days. 5901 Mercury Drive, Dept. AFA, Ft. Collins, Colorado 80525 The baby left the nest at eight weeks.• afa WATCHBIRD 27