Cacatua galerita

2 Sulphur-crested Cockatoo at Garran, ACT

Cacatua galerita at Garran, ACT - 16 Nov 2019
Cacatua galerita at Garran, ACT - 16 Nov 2019
Cacatua galerita at Garran, ACT - 16 Nov 2019
Cacatua galerita at Garran, ACT - 16 Nov 2019
Cacatua galerita at Garran, ACT - 16 Nov 2019
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Identification history

Cacatua galerita 22 Nov 2019 natureguy
Cacatua galerita 19 Nov 2019 BIrdsinCanberra
Cacatua galerita 19 Nov 2019 natureguy
Cacatua tenuirostris x galerita (Hybrid) 18 Nov 2019 BIrdsinCanberra

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User's notes

I am not certain of this identification, I am really hoping for help from the moderators who always come to my assistance. This Sulphur-crested Cockatoo was sticking out from a hollow at Red Hill Nature Reserve. I thought it was a normal sulphur cocky but there was a lot of red colouring on its right-hand side. In pictures I have seen on-line there is normally more skin visible around the eyes in a hybrid. There were no Sulphur-crested Cockatoos visible in the tree, but there were two Long-billed Corellas. I know that does not make sense but one article I saw online did have a similar family construct. I suspect it is just a normal cockatoo with a slight discolouration but just wanted to get some expert advice. Happy to send higher res images via email if you DM me an email address. Many thanks in advance.

3 comments

   19 Nov 2019
I think a normal SCC. The level of colouring there is consistent with the staining they get from digging in some types of dirt most often noticeable in Little Corellas because they roll around and play in it rather than just digging. Other spp like Grey Teal and Little Pied Cormorant are also good examples of birds that get discolouration/staining, although in their case not from dirt.
natureguy wrote:
   20 Nov 2019
Seems pretty normal to me, no compelling evidence to support hybrid unlike other examples I have seen.
   20 Nov 2019
Hi Ryu and NatureGuy, Many thanks for your comments. Happy with your identification and I have updated the sighting. Again, many thanks. Kind regards.

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