BARE-EYED COCKATOO
QUICK FACTS
Scientific Name
Cacatua sanguinea
Species Survival Plan
No
Habitat
Riverside woodlands near grasslands and agricultural areas
Predators
Eagle and hawk
Food
Grass seeds, crops, fruits, berries, buds, flowers, nuts and insect larvae
Originally Native To
Australia and Southern New Guinea
Height
14 - 15 inches
Weight
10.5 - 15 ounces
Characteristics
White bird with yellow underwings and red down feathers around the face; has a ring around the eye that is of a bluish color
Gestation Period
25 days
Offspring
1 - 3 eggs
Birth Season
Winter and spring
Lifespan
Wild ?
Captivity 50 years
Social Behavior
Extremely social, live in large flocks
ABOUT THE BARE-EYED COCKATOO
Bare-eyed cockatoos, also known as little corellas, will inhabit most types of open country, but are particularly abundant in eucalyptus-bordering watercourses. They will roost in the nearby trees overnight, congregating in flocks of several thousand.
In the morning, they leave their perch with a deafening screech before heading for the watering hole, followed by a day of feeding on grass seeds. Early travelers would use the bare-eyed cockatoos as a guide, and follow the flocks in order to find water. They are intelligent and inquisitive birds.
Bare-eyed cockatoos can be very destructive, chewing on everything from tree branches to electrical wire. They also invade cultivated areas and damage crops. Due to their destructive tendencies and large population, they are considered pests in Australia.
MEET THE NEIGHBORS
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ANYTHING YOU GIVE HELPS THE ANIMALS
As a private nonprofit corporation, Fossil Rim does not receive national or state government support. Every cent spent or donated here goes in some way, directly or indirectly, toward the care of our animals.