Gang-gang cockatoo(Callocephalon fimbriatum)
They are a grey bird with a wispy crest. The head and crest is bright red in males, but dark grey in females. The edges of feathers in underparts have edges of yellow or pink. The edges of feathers on upperparts are slightly paler grey than the rest of the feather, which makes the bird look somewhat barred. Juvenile males can be distinguished by their brighter crowns and shorter crests, but otherwise look similar to the adult female. The birds are not easily mistaken for other cockatoos, but while in flight may resemble the Galah. Gang-gangs are very social birds, but not overly noisy.
Habitat
The gang-gang is endemic to coastal regions of south-eastern Australia. They used to inhabit King Island off of Tasmania, but they have since gone extinct locally. They are an introduced species on Kangaroo Island. The gang-gang prefers forests and woodlands in the mountains with dense shrub understories. The birds migrate short distances during winter into more open habitats. However they must migrate back to denser forests to breed, as they need tall trees in order to build nests.
Diet
Gang-gang cockatoos eat mainly seeds of native trees and shrubs, as well as introduced varieties, preferring wattles, eucalypts, and introduced hawthorns. Berries, nuts, fruits, and insects and larvae also form part of their diet.
Breeding
Gang-gang cockatoos are monogamous birds and pair for life. They nest in the deep hollows of trees, pairs usually returning every year to the same tree. The breeding season takes place from October and January. The female usually lays two white eggs and incubation lasts about 24 to 30 days, performed by both parents. The adults feed the chicks for 7-8 weeks, then 4-6 weeks more after fledging. Family groups are often seen feeding together in the breeding season. Sometimes 'crèches' are formed: where several pairs nest close together, their offspring will roost in the same tree together while the parents are foraging. These cockatoos start breeding at four years of age.
Population
According to the IUCN Red List, population size of Gang-gang cockatoos has not been quantified, but it is believed to be bigger than 10,000 mature individuals. Currently, this species is described as generally common and classified as Least Concern (LC) with its numbers are increasing.
Threats
Gang-gang cockatoos are under threat from land clearing and removal of mature trees, which are potential breeding sites.
Conservation
There is currently no conservation actions for this species.