'TRUTH' the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo - original artwork

About this bird:

Red-Tailed Black Cockatoos are among Australia’s most striking native birds. Often heard before they are seen, their distinctive rolling calls and slow, graceful wingbeats make them an unforgettable sight soaring overhead. Found across forests, woodlands, heathlands and semi-arid regions of Western Australia, 'Red-Tails' are highly intelligent, social birds often seen in pairs, family groups or flocks. Despite their impressive size, they are known for their gentle nature, playful personalities and strong family bonds. Mated pairs form long-term partnerships and work together to raise their young, usually producing only one chick at a time. Using their incredibly powerful beaks, these Cockatoos feed mainly on seeds, nuts and fruits from native trees including eucalyptus, casuarinas, banksias and hakeas. To the Noongar people of south-west Western Australia, the Forest Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo is known as “Karrak” (sometimes written Karak), a name believed to come from the bird’s distinctive call. These magnificent birds hold cultural significance and are woven into stories and seasonal knowledge connected to Country. Like many Australian species, Red-Tailed Black Cockatoos face challenges from habitat loss, land clearing, changing fire patterns and the removal of old nesting trees. Because they breed slowly and rely on specific habitats, protecting these environments is essential for their survival. Conservation statuses: Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo (species overall): Least Concern and South-Eastern Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo population: Critically Endangered