Australian cockatoos are fantastic birds, and I am delighted to say I have had the pleasure of photographing them all around the country.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
A number are very prominent in the Hunter and offer great subjects for keen wildlife photographers.
One of my favourites has to be the the fantastic Major Mitchells.
My first encounter with them came last year on a private property just over the border in Queensland. It was early June and I had found a pair working on a nest hole in a tree.
They were truly magnificent when they opened their crests with that burst of colour showing through.
RELATED CONTENT
- Two types of falcons that strike in an instant
- Grebe numbers reduced but one pair on display
- Azure Kingfisher mission continues after narrow miss
- The secret to good insect pictures
- Magnificent bee eaters catch prey in mid-flight
- Favourite images from my inland adventure
- Kingfishers, kestrel, kookaburras and more
- Blackbutt Reserve: a jewel in the heart of Newcastle
I should point out that this was on a very large property - one where you have to check in, and then sign out again when you are leaving so they know you are safe.
It also helps if you have a four wheel drive as you may need to go off road to save a long walk.
There was also a great number of birds on this property. But the Major Mitchells are usually seen in small parties, rarely in large flocks, and are found in open grassland, and never far from water.
They're beautiful birds.
Back home in the Hunter we find most of the other cockatoos.
The easily identified - and it needs to be said, rather noisy - Sulphur Crested Cockatoos were nesting in Tenambit, fairly low down and had chicks in the nest hole. They're truly amazing birds.
Red Tailed Black Cockatoos are usually seen before they're heard. Their distinctive call can be heard from a long way off.
They can be found around Maitland.
I find these birds pretty tame in general, and can be approached. If you have a long lens and fast shutter speed, you should be in great shape.
Both types of Corella - the Long Billed Corella and the Little Corella - are very common in our area and can be seen in large flocks. They're very active and calling in flight is common.
A great number visit Largs Nursing Home and feed at the feeders there.
Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos are one of my favourite cockatoos.
Every time I see them up close I am surprised at just how large they are. The main image with this article was a Yellow Tail and the image was taken in Lorn.
You will usually find them in small flocks although they join up into larger groups in the winter.
Like Corellas, they will call in flight. Again, you can usually hear them before you see them.
I've been on the road recently and my next article will look at birds of outback NSW.
