Callocephalon fimbriatum

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Family

Cacatuidae

Genus

Callocephalon

Species

fimbriatum

Common Names

Gang-gang, Gang-gang CockatooRed-crowned Cockatoo, Redheaded Cockatoo, Helmeted Cockatoo, Red-crowned Parrot and Redheaded Parrot.

Distinguishing Features

Both male and female Gang-gang Cockatoos have large pale grey bills, broad wings edged in white and a short tail. Adults range in size from 33 to 36 cm. They are predominantly grey bodied with a fine and wispy crest. Males have a bright orange-red crest and head while females have a dark grey crest and head. The base of the tail is washed in yellow and the tail is unbarred and dark grey. The female has grey and salmon pink bars on its under belly and while the tail is also dark grey, the base has greenish-yellow bars. The young resemble the adult female with the exception of a red crest and crown on young males.

Survey Techniques

Visual identification and calls.

Species Call

An unmistakable and prolonged, rusty, gate-like screech. When feeding: a soft growling.

Similar Species

The Gang-gang Cockatoo is quite unique in appearance. The Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) is classed in the same family and may look similar in flight, but can be recognised by its pink face and belly and pinkish-white crest, crown and forehead.

Distribution

Southeast Australia from eastern NSW to southern VIC. Gang Gangs regularly inhabit the inner suburbs of Canberra, particularly those near Lake Burley Griffin, Black Mountain, Aranda and Mount Ainsle. They are most frequently encountered along the Cotter, Gudgenby and Naas River.

Country of Origin

Australia

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional

The Gang-gang Cockatoo is a protected native species in the ACT and are listed as a vulnerable species in NSW.  Over the last 20 years, the overall reporting rate in NSW has dropped by 44%.  Sightings in the urban Canberra have been slowly increasing over the last 20 years and population levels in the region are considered stable (COG).

Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National

Currently not listed as a threatened species under the EPBC Act 1999, however it is considered a Protected Native Animal.

LSCCES Population

Pairs and small flocks were recorded throughout the survey area with highest detection frequencies in suburban Turner, CSIRO, ANU and NMA.

Associated vegetation community

Gang-gang Cockatoos show seasonal migration.  During the summer, they are prevalent in mountain woodlands containing eucalypts and acacias up to an altitude of 2000m.  In winter, they are found in drier, more open woodlands and in urban areas.

Limiting Resources

Gang-gangs require old, hollow-bearing trees close to a permanent water supply.

Breeding

The breeding season of Gang-gang Cockatoos lasts from October to January.  Both the male and female take turns to incubate a clutch of 2 to 3 eggs.  Hatching occurs at 30 days and the young remain in the nest for about 8 weeks.  Nests are built in tree hollows of tall trees close to permanent watercourses.  Preferred hollows are fairly high and vertical or steeply sloping, lined with wood chips chewed from hollow walls.

Behaviour

Gang-gang Cockatoos are seen in pairs during the breeding season and in flocks of up to 100 at other times. Seasonal migration occurs in this species with populations peaking in Canberra suburbs from April to September. In summer, they migrate to the Brindabella ranges to breed. Their feeding behaviour is distinctive; bunches of seed pods or berries are held in the foot, then individually removed, split open and held pressed against the foot while the seeds are extracted. Gang-gang Cockatoos will return to the same tree or bush each day until the food supply is exhausted. Feeding is noisy due to the continual soft growl they produce and the cracking and dropping of eucalypt seedpods. They have an arboreal nature and will only come to the ground for water. Their flight is heavy, with slow, sweeping wing beats.

Functional Group

Omnivore

Food Species

They mainly feed on the seeds of native and introduced trees and shrubs, particularly seedpods from eucalypts and the green pods of acacias.  Berries from firethorn (pyracanthas) and hawthorn (crateagus), nuts and fruits are also eaten.  Insects and their larvae can be consumed, however in the suburbs of Canberra, they prefer to feed on the seeds of Roman pines (Cupressus sempervirens).

Predators

Cats (Felis catus) are predators of Gang-gang Cockatoos that venture into urban areas in the ACT.

Interesting Fact

Gang-gang Cockatoos have been observed lying on the ground, intoxicated from eating over-ripe and fermenting Hawthorn berries. They always use their left foot to hold food during feeding and they are the prime animal emblem of the ACT.