Cacatua galerita galerita
April 11, 2005: Hyde Park, Sydney, New South Wales
OMG! We were nearly through the park on the way back to the hotel when I spotted large white birds on the grass. When I realized what they were, I was SO excited. OMG! Cockatoos! Genuine, honest-to-goodness WILD cockatoos! It was almost unbelievable to me to see them there foraging on the ground for food and I’d half-convinced myself that they can’t possibly be wild – they must have been escaped pets. But no, the book says there are large flocks in the cities. OMG! SO INCREDIBLY COOL! They are really pretty and it’s funny to see a bird so familiar, and yet be seeing it for the first time. These two foraged for only a few minutes and then flew up into the tree making a rather horrible screeching noise, and began displaying their crests and raising their wings – trying to chase away a couple of ravens in the tree. It looked as though the ravens were interested in a nest, but I couldn’t tell for certain. The cockatoos made quite a fuss, as did a couple of Noisy Miners. I really loved seeing these birds!
April 12, 2005: Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, New South Wales
These birds are AMAZING! Today at the park we saw a large flock flying around from tree to tree, and foraging on the ground making an enormous racket – they make some really loud and raucous screeching noises as they fly around. I am still just astounded to see these birds flying around in their native habitat. Not to mention that it’s hilarious to see them flying around Sydney and landing on apartment building balconies. They don’t seem to be bothered much by people, either – some of them allowed me to come very close.
April 13, 2005: Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney, New South Wales
Another huge flock of these birds noisily flying and foraging. Wonderful! 30 seen.
April 24, 2005: Murray River, Paringa, South Australia
YAY! I’m pleased to see these birds again. So pretty, and so noisy. I just love them! Have seen one largish flock and several birds or pairs flying by.
April 26, 2005: Chowilla Game Reserve, South Australia
April 26, 2005: Higgins Cutting, Wentworth, New South Wales
April 28, 2005: Chowilla Game Reserve, South Australia
May 6, 2005: Belair National Park, South Australia
Let me know what you think!