Glossy Black Cockatoo
Calyptorhynchus lathami
Eastern Australia • Rare & Elegant
IUCN Status
Vulnerable
The Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami) is one of Australia’s most elegant and threatened black cockatoos. Smaller and more slender than other black cockatoos, it features deep glossy black plumage with vivid red tail panels in males and beautiful yellow-orange barring in females. It is a specialist feeder on the seeds of she-oak (Allocasuarina) trees and is known for its quiet, gentle nature and strong pair bonds. Due to habitat loss and slow reproduction, it is listed as Vulnerable, making captive breeding and conservation efforts increasingly important.
General Description
| Common Name | Glossy Black Cockatoo |
| Latin Name | Calyptorhynchus lathami |
| Family | Cacatuidae • Cockatoos |
| Adult Size | 46–50 cm (18–20 in) |
| Weight | 400–550 g |
| Life Span | 40–60+ years in captivity |
| Sexual Maturity | 5–7 years |
| Clutch Size | 1 egg (rarely 2) |
| Gender Difference | Strong sexual dimorphism: Males have bright red tail panels; females have yellow-orange barring on the tail with black stripes. Females also show more yellow on the head and neck. |
| Natural Habitat | Open eucalypt woodlands and forests with abundant she-oak (Allocasuarina) trees. |
| Origin / Range | Eastern Australia (from southeast Queensland to eastern Victoria, with isolated populations). |
| Care Level | Advanced • Requires specialized diet (she-oak cones) and experienced keeper |
Calyptorhynchus lathami • Adult male showing red tail panels
ELEGANT BLACK COCKATOO • SHE-OAK SPECIALIST
Subspecies & Plumage
Three subspecies are recognised, differing mainly in size and the extent of yellow on the head and tail:
| Subspecies | Main Range | Key Differences |
|---|---|---|
| C. l. lathami (Nominate) | Southeast Queensland to eastern Victoria | Largest form with prominent red tail panels in males. |
| C. l. erebus | Central Queensland | Smaller with slightly less red on the tail. |
| C. l. halmaturinus | Kangaroo Island (South Australia) | Smallest subspecies with more yellow on the head in females. |
General Plumage Notes: The Glossy Black Cockatoo has deep, glossy black plumage with subtle sheen. Males display vivid red tail panels, while females show yellow-orange barring on the tail. It has a short crest and a powerful beak adapted for cracking she-oak cones. Juveniles resemble females but have duller coloration.
Conservation Status:
Vulnerable (IUCN Red List) — CITES Appendix II
Calyptorhynchus Genus
Eastern Australia
Glossy Black Cockatoo