SPECIES: Probosciger aterrimus macgillivrayi — Palm Cockatoo
CLASSIFICATION: Vulnerable
The Palm Cockatoo - aka the Goliath or Great Black Cockatoo comes from an ancient lineage of bird species with some pretty interesting behaviours they still display. Native to the rainforests and woodland of Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, the Palm Cockatoo is large, very dark grey to black with a large, powerful beak and striking red cheek patches which change colour when the bird is alarmed or excited. And so to that interesting behaviour: males will loudly drum with a large stick or seed pod against a tree, then stripping the drumming stick into small pieces, and offering it up to use for nest lining. This incredible bird is faces threats from habitat destruction due to mining, fire and are also a sought after as pets.