FEATURE Major Mitchell’s fly just above tree height and in fact sometimes between trees.


yellow in comb. (Figure 11) How do you tell the difference between the Eastern race of Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo and the Western race called ‘Mollis’?


Mollis has a longer crest and upon maturity, ie 3 years, has a comb without yellow. (Figure 12)


Do Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos fly at great heights when travelling? No they don’t. Major Mitchell’s, no matter how far they are going, do not fly at great heights.


In essence Major Mitchell’s fly just above tree height and in fact sometimes between trees. I believe the reason is because they are white and are slow flyers compared to other cockatoos. The tree line allows them to identify hawks or eagles that may attack them and escape into that tree line as a form of protection. Background of Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos


Other Names: Genus – Cacatua Cacatua leadbeateri • Chockalott • Cocklerina • Desert Cockatoo • Inca Cockatoo • Leadbeater’s Cockatoo • Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo • Pallid Cockatoo • Pink Cockatoo • South Australian Pink Cockatoo • Southern Pink Cockatoo


• Wee Juggler Distribution


Semi-arid and arid interior regions of Australia with the exception of North East Australia Sub Species


Cacatua leadbeateri mollis Distribution West of Ceduna SA West to Esperance WA – North to Carnamah WA Other Names • Mathews Pink Cockatoo • Western Pink Cockatoo


What do Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos feed on in the wild? Like all birds Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos have a built-in mechanism that allows them to follow an annual food pattern.


Listed below are some of the most common seeds utilised by Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos:- • Wild Orange [Capparis mitchells] • Crows Foot [Eleusine indica] • Wilga [Geijera parviflora] • Camel Melon [Citrullus lamatus] • Paddy Melon [Cucumis myriocarpus] • Currant Bush [Exocarpos aphyllus] • Murray Cypress Pine [Callitris preissii murrayensis]


• Mallee Cypress Pine [Callitris preissii verrucosa]


• White Cypress Pine [Callitris columellaris]


• Black Cypress Pine [Callitris endlicheri]


• Mulga [Acacia ameura] BIRD SCENE 21


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48