Who's a pretty boy? The gang-gang cockatoo
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382656)
Rockingham, Australia
February 4, 2019 5:07pm CST
One of the birds we saw at the Peel Zoo on our house-boat trip was the gang-gang cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum). It is one of the emblems of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra).
The name is intriguing for a start and is believed to come from a New South Wales aboriginal language, describing its distinctive call. Wikipedia says the name is onomatopoeic but then describes the call as resembling a creaky gate or the sound of a cork being pulled from a wine bottle, neither of which sound like each other to my mind and neither of which sound anything like gang-gang! However, moving on…..
The gang-gang is found in the cooler, moist forests and woodlands of Australia and is mostly grey. The male has a red head and crest and the female has a small fluffy grey crest. The females carve out nesting cavities with their strong beaks.
It is said to be the most primitive looking cockatoo of all the species.
My photo from the zoo isn’t very good so I’ve used one that Vince took at a bird park further north.
18 people like this
20 responses



@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
5 Feb 19
It always made me wonder how animals could possibly be given such gorgeous colors with no help from an artist... lol... Just look at this pair!!
1 person likes this

@Hate2Iron (15724)
• Canada
5 Feb 19
@JudyEv Now you really do think that someone got out some paints and then gave him a makeover wouldn't you!!! He's awesome!
1 person likes this

@jvicentevalera (13671)
• Santiago, Chile
5 Feb 19
I have never seen a cockatoo in person before, but If I did I would be impressed by it. By the way, are they big? Nice photo Judy!
1 person likes this

@JudyEv (382656)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Feb 19
@jvicentevalera We have some very colourful parrots and cockatoos.
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@jvicentevalera (13671)
• Santiago, Chile
5 Feb 19
@JudyEv Aww Hopefully one day I see one of those, thanks for the info anyway Judy! I appreciate it!
1 person likes this

@allknowing (153529)
• India
5 Feb 19
Cute birds These are not seen in our garden
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@Letranknight2015 (52665)
• Philippines
5 Feb 19
Definitely a pretty bad boy for a rooster I think.
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382656)
• Rockingham, Australia
6 Feb 19
Yes, it could well be although I think peacocks have the edge.
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
5 Feb 19
The male red is to attract the ladies!
1 person likes this
@snowy22315 (209214)
• United States
4 Feb 19
Cockatoos are some very smart birds.
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@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
4 Feb 19
That is a very pretty pair, and those sounds are two very distinctive sounds and I agree with you, not alike.
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@JudyEv (382656)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Feb 19
They are short and stocky it seems - and these ones are well fed, I'd say.
@acelawrites (19272)
• Philippines
4 Feb 19
They look so beautiful. Are there so many of them still in existence?
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382656)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 Feb 19
In one state they are listed as vulnerable but otherwise they are 'of least concern'.



























