Glossy Black Cockatoo

The glossy black cockatoo is a cockatoo species from the eastern part of Australia. It is most related to the red-tailed black cockatoo and a bit smaller. The Latin name of the glossy black cockatoo is Calyptorhynchus lathami. 

Males and females of this species look different from each other (sexually dimorphic). Males of this species are black with a brown head and red patches on its tail. Females are dull dark brown with yellow specks and stripes on her tail and neck. Both sexes have a bone colored bill.

There are three subspecies of the Glossy Black Cockatoo. These subspecies have small differences in appearance and live in different parts of Australia. The differences are minimal and the subspecies can interbreed. In captivity this happens, in nature their different habitats and location prevent this.

 

Nickname Latham’s black cockatoo
Common name
Glossy Black Cockatoo
Scientific name
Calyptorhynchus lathami
Color of feathers
Black
Color of crest
Black
Body size
50 cm
Sex difference
Males have red on their tail feathers,
females have yellow patches on their tail and chest.
Easily tamed
No
Cage or aviary
Aviary
Usual cost
Expensive outside of Australia

Origin and natural habitat

Glossy black cockatoos originate from Australia. They occur on the eastern coast.  One subspecies lives on the Kangaroo Island.

Glossy black cockatoos are mostly found in open forest and woodlands. They are quite common in their region and are currently not endangered.

A glossy black cockatoo as a pet

In general glossy black cockatoos are not popular as pets. In Australia they could be easily obtained as they occur in nature and are not endangered. Outside of Australia they are rare and therefore more expensive.  They can become quite tame, but are generally not kept as pets in houses but more as birds in large aviaries.