Gang-Gang Cockatoos
Cockatoos as Pets ... Talking Ability (compared to other species) ... Cockatoo Diet / Foods ... Cockatoo Diseases ... Cockatoo Library ... The Taxonomy Of Cockatoos
Overview:
Kindly provided by Dr. Rob Marshall - http://www.birdhealth.com.au)
In the wild, the Gang Gang Cockatoo is found along the eastern coast of Australia, inhabiting dense mountain forests and open woodland regions.
They are usually seen in pairs, family parties or small groups, a social characteristic that makes this bird highly demanding as a pet. Gang Gang Cockatoos form strong pair bonds with their owner and require a great deal of training and care to avoid the occurrence of behavioural problems. Feather picking as a result of boredom is a common condition seen in Gang Gangs that are deprived of the attention they require.
| Chart provided by Dr. Rob Marshall - http://www.birdhealth.com.au) |
| Gang Gang Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus lathami |
| Size: 40cm in length |
| Pet Status: Low |
| Talking Ability: Good, with crackling voice |
| Noise Level: High |
| Lifespan: Up to 50 years |
| Breeding Ability: Difficult to breed |
| Courtship Display: Male spreads wings, raises head and calls female to entrance of nest. |
| Number of Eggs: 2-3 eggs |
| Incubation: 23-25 days |
| Compatibility with other species: Not recommened |
| Feeding: Seed and Fruit Eaters, especially the Oak and Casuarina nuts. |
| Health Programmes: Follow the Parrot Health Programme. |
| Sexing: Males have striking red heads, whilst that of the female is grey |
Gangs also love to chew things and should be provided with stimulus to keep them interested and entertained (please refer to "Foraging." Gang Gangs are not considered to be a good pet bird due to their boredom related behavioural problems.
Distribution & Habitat:
The Gang-gang Cockatoo, Callocephalon fimbriatum, is found in the cooler and wetter forests and woodlands of Australia, particularly alpine bushland.
It ranges throughout south-eastern Australia and Tasmania. Like all cockatoos, Gang-gangs nest in hollow trees.
Loss of older, hollow-bearing trees and loss of feeding habitat across south-eastern Australia through land clearing has led to a significant reduction in the numbers of this cockatoo in recent years.
Description:
Gang-gang cockatoos are one of the more distinctive and charismatic members of Australia's avifauna. These birds are primarily slate-grey, with the males easily identified by their scarlet head and wispy crest, while females have a grey head and crest and feathers edged with salmon pink on the underbelly. They range in length from 32 to 37 cm, with a wingspan of 62 to 76 cm. The call has been likened to a creaking gate or cork being pulled from a bottle. (Sources: Wikipedia.org and Copyright Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW)
Training and Behavioral Guidance:
- Pet parrots generally present challenges, such as excessive chewing - especially at certain stages in their life. They do discover their beaks as method of "disciplining us" once they are out of the "baby stage" and they can generally be somewhat naughty, and it really is important to learn to understand them and to guide their behavior before an undesirable behavior has been established. Undisciplined parrots will chew on electric wiring potentially causing house fires. They regard anything in your home as a "toy" that can be explored and chewed on; destroying items that you may hold dear or are simply valuable. Even a young bird that has not been neglected and abused requires proper guidance; this becomes even more challenging when it involves a rescued bird that may require rehabilitation.
- Web Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit this website for valuable tips on parrot behavior and training.
- If you are, as I am, a visual learner and prefer step-by-step instructions to train your pet, I recommend:
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
- Stop Biting
- Perform Tricks &
- Tame ANY SIZE bird you could possibly own
- and/or try the "Teach Your Parrot to Talk" Training Course.
- the Parrot Training Course to teach your parrot to:
Genus: English: Helmed Cockatoos ... Dutch: Helmkakatoes ... German: Helmkakadus ... French: Cacatoès à tête rouge 
Species: Scientific: Callocephalon fimbriatum ... English: Gang-Gang Cockato ... Dutch: Helmkakatoe, Roodkopkakatoe ...German: Helmkakadu, Rotkopfkakadu ... French: Cacatoès à tête rouge CITES II- Endangered Species Distribution: South-eastern Australia, King Island, northern Tasmania
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with web visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the webmaster.
Photo contributions are welcome!
