What kind of parrot is this?

[wolf0994]

I havent seen this bird before. I think its gorgeous. Does anyone know what it is?

 

[ann]

it looks like a red tailed black cockatoo. they are beautiful aren't they. im pretty sure one of the other members, pedro, has one.

 

[Spiritbird]

Oh my I am guessig a spinx macaw. Google Image Result for http://i726.photobucket.com/albums/ww268/jaydshep/1224458884.jpg

 

[WharfRat]

Doesn't really look like a Spinx to me, though I may be wrong. Considering it's an almost completely extinct bird that is unlawful to own, there ain't a lot of pics of them that I've seen. Pics I've seen they are alot more grey in the face, last I heard there was no more than 50 known to exist? I also vaguely remember the Houston zoo was trying to breed some at one point.

 

[Spiritbird]

I looked through my Birds of the World reference book and that is the closest I could come. Otherwise it is a dyed bird Lol.

 

[WharfRat]

Here ya go Spirit

World Parrot Trust - Press Kit

 

[sssaucey]

That pic is of a female red tail black cockatoo(from the spotted feathers that only females have) and I pretty sure the colour of the bird has been changed as they are mainly black with the yellowish white spots on the feathers.

 

[greycloud]

Yup, sssaucey is correct!

 

[sssaucey]

To be fair so was anne lol I just pointed it out that it was female haha

 

[paulhanlon]

By far one of the most beautiful birds ever the red tailed black cockatoo such beauty this bird has I would die to have one of these birds just like the palm cockatoo this is a rare species there are only a few people who own one of these birds shame I'm not one of them lol

 

[wolf0994]

Thank you to you all, esp ann and Saucey. I found this pic when I searched specifically for a red tailed black too and it also has a blueish color to it. I wonder if it is post-processing or if there is a lighting angle. Either way, truly beautiful birds and I appreciate the help.

 

[Alisana]

it looks like a red tailed black cockatoo. they are beautiful aren't they. im pretty sure one of the other members, pedro, has one.

Correct! They're native to Australia.

It's either a juvenile male or a female. The males get their full black colouring and red tail band after about two years, if I recall correctly; whereas juveniles look like females until they mature.

We have a family of three that live near us (they drop in to eat our passionfruit), and there are a few family groups at my uni They are well known for their loving and sweet personality which can last into adulthood. Absolutely sweet birds, even in the wild.

[Edit] Here is a young male starting to get his red bands in

 

[Klaery]

Yup red tailed black. How rare are they over there?
Not commonly kept in Australia but not rare either. I know a few people with them. Gorgeous birds. I got to see a very yough one recently that was being hand raised. A little fluffy yellow ball of down haha.

P.s. the bluish colour is just shine/reflection off the feathers. The species closest relative is actually known as the glossy black cockatoo

 

[wolf0994]

I wants one! I just read a big bio on them. Not that it will ever happen as they are from what I can tell very very expensive in the US. Boy are they gorgeous though.

 

[sssaucey]

I wish I lived somewhere that had wild parrots

 

[wolf0994]

I wish I lived somewhere that had wild parrots

I would love that so very much!

 

[Alisana]

Thank you to you all, esp ann and Saucey. I found this pic when I searched specifically for a red tailed black too and it also has a blueish color to it. I wonder if it is post-processing or if there is a lighting angle. Either way, truly beautiful birds and I appreciate the help.

I think it was just the time of day. When there is cloud cover or if it's dark.

Look at the lighting difference, and colour difference in feather between these two photos I think it's a combination of lighting, and how the light reflects of their feathers.

Low-Light Image

Normal Light

 

[Alisana]

Yup red tailed black. How rare are they over there?
Not commonly kept in Australia but not rare either. I know a few people with them. Gorgeous birds. I got to see a very yough one recently that was being hand raised. A little fluffy yellow ball of down haha.

P.s. the bluish colour is just shine/reflection off the feathers. The species closest relative is actually known as the glossy black cockatoo

We have four species of red-tailed blacks; there is also a yellow-tail and white-tail black cockatoo as well.

[Edit] For comparison:

The glossy's were rarer if I recall correctly,

Red-tailed blacks (Calyptorhynchus banksii) are common in North Queensland, well the C. b. banksii is common. The C. b. graptogyne is endangered (less than 1000 individuals). C. b. macrorhynchus is also wide spread; major difference is females don't have the red barring in their tails. There is also the C. b. naso is near threatened and there is also the C. b. samueli. I'll have to hunt down the picture of one who was eating palm nuts on the grass next to me at lunch.

 

[Klaery]

Yep

Glossy is the smallest and closest related to the red tail. I only mentioned it as its name actually refers to the sheen of the feathers (the blue colour) that I was commenting on.

 

[Alisana]

Video of me feeding one

[ame=http://youtu.be/Um4VkcA2wTw]Feeding Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo - YouTube[/ame]

Notice all the leaves and branches around? The stands were FILLED with them (more so in the video) By about 2pm most of the branches had been stripped of the leaves. By about 3.30-4pm the branches had become twigs. Like any parrot, they love to chew.

I wouldn't recommend getting one unless you're well prepared and experienced. Parrot Rescue Centre mentioned that they get them in from time to time due to screaming, but due to their higher dollar value, like other 'toos, they can end up on the rehoming merry-go-round. =\

With a devoted owner, they're wonderful. All the people I know who own them have theirs free flighted. I've never actually come across a clipped one yet. They really look cool in flight, and the red really stands out. A guy in Cairns has one and he taught his to scream/call as much as it wants when flying, so that way it can do it to it's heart content and when finished, he's just makes soft cooing calls inside. (According to the owner, he joked around and said "At least I know I'll never lose him! Can hear him from a mile away!")