It’s the 12th day of CHRISTMAS!
🎶On the twelfth day of Christmas,
Norther brought me…
🪶a mysterious Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo.
And, some massive gorges at Nitmiluk National Park!
Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo in Nitmiluk National Park
COMMON NAME: Red-tailed Black Cockatoo
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Calyptorhynchus banksii
TYPE: Bird
DIET: Seeds
SIZE: Length 53–55 cm. Weight 600–610 g.
The Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is a large and glossy black cockatoo, with a large crest. Adult females are often duller than adult males, with bold yellow spots on the head, neck and wings, yellowish barring to the underbody, and paler panels in the tail, which vary from pale yellow to yellow grading to orange towards the tip.
Adult males are glossier black than the females, with broad bright-red panels in the tail, and a dark-grey bill and ring around the eye. (Stunning)
In females and juveniles the bill is off-white; juveniles also have an off-white ring around the eye. Their calls are loud and harsh, with the usual contact call a rolling krurr-ur and their alarm call a sharp krur-rak sound.
Where does the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo Live?
The Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is found in a range of environments, but it is found mostly in gum-lined river systems of inland Australia. It can also be found in grasslands and farmlands.
During their courtship, the males strut along a tree branch bowing towards the female, with his tail feathers fanned out, and his head feathers all ruffled up, giving a low, gurgling sound. They like giving the females a show! From March to July in the Northern Territory these birds nest and the males feed the females. How sweet!?
What does the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo Eat?
These dark birds mainly eat seeds but also fruit, berries, nectar, flowers and sometimes insects and larvae.
These birds have very strong beaks and they use these to break open hard, seed capsules of gum trees. They can then extract the kernel from within the seed pod! How cool?! In inland Australia, these beauties feed on proteas, casuarinas and other small trees.
Stunning birds aren’t they? Share this with your friends and see who can do the most creative design. Wanna feature your creation on our Instagram? Email us [email protected] and we’ll share the most creative creation on our Instagram page!
Yours in adventure,
Have a Merry Norther Christmas
Download The Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo Colouring Page
Nitmiluk National Park
The land of the gorges! Nitmiluk National Park is a cultural landscape, where Jawoyn people live and work. The unique concept of the First Nations people working and living on the land makes this place a gem on the Australian landscape.Hooked On Nitmiluk
The Gorge entrance to the park is 30km east of Katherine on the sealed Gorge Road. Follow the signs. The turnoff to Leliyn (Edith Falls) is 40km north of Katherine along the Stuart Highway. The park entrance is 20km further along Edith Falls Road. The best time to visit is from May – September, during the dry season. This is because in the wet season flooding may restrict the range of activities available and sometimes prevent access to the Park. When you come for a visit, be sure to bring your sense of adventure, sunscreen, a hat, insect repellent, a first aid kit, plenty of water and comfortable walking shoes. Maybe even a change of socks! Booking.comWhat to See and Do in Nitmiluk National Park?
Considered one of the gems of the Northern Territory, Nitmiluk National Park is filled with activities that will keep you occupied for days on end! You can take a day trip from Darwin to Nitmiluk Gorge, however, stay in the area so you have the opportunity to experience this part of the world for a few and explore this GORGE-ous park.
Interested in an activity or tour? Book as early as possible as it gets busy! This Park is not only popular among the locals but with other explorers as well.
The kinds of activities you can do in the park include:
- Boat Tours
- Walking
- Canoeing
- Mountain Biking
- Heli Tours
- Camping
- Fishing
The Park has other facilities, all of which are aimed at making your experience a more memorable one! The grassed picnic area with gas barbies, tables and toilets makes it easier for you to enjoy a day out in the Park. The fully serviced campground with powered sites and chalets makes overnight hiking a bit easier as you can have your campervan safely stored. The Nitmiluk Centre with information, offers a wealth of information in their interpretive display. The cafe, souvenir shop and tour booking desk are ideal for bringing something for you to remember your trip by.
Keen on exploring Nitmiluk National Park? We hope you have an amazing time visiting the Nitmiluk National Park. We would love your feedback on this page – please comment below if you’ve been to Nitmiluk National Park or seen a Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.
Norther would like to invite you to explore more about the beauty of Nitmiluk National Park here. And… as always you can get more inspiration for other National Parks & Destinations to visit by following @northerhq or get your Nitmiluk National Park daily fix @nitmiluknationalpark
*Cover image by @sierrapb on IG.
