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Gang-gang Cockatoo

(Callocephalon fimbriatum)

Also known as: Red-crowned Cockatoo, Red-crowned Parrot, Red-headed Cockatoo, Red-headed Parrot, Helmeted Cockatoo

Gang Gang Cockatoo profile
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Did You Know?

The Gang-gang is one of only two cockatoos (the other being Major Mitchell's) with red anywhere on its head.

Academic Research

Related publications: Callocephalon fimbriatum

Species Profile

Genus: Callocephalon | Species: fimbriatum

Size:

33-35cm (12.8-13.6 in)

Weight:

240-330g (8.4-11.5 oz)

Races including nominate:

one

Colourization Adult:

Male-in general dark grey, the feathers scalloped pale grey/white; bright orange/red crest and head; secondary coverts suffused dull green; dark grey tail. Bill horn in colour. Eye dark brown. Female-dark grey head and crest; upperparts strongly barred with pale yellow, underparts heavily barred orange to green/yellow; undertail barred grey/white.

Colourization Juvenile:

As in female but with more red in crest (male) and dark grey crest (female); crest shorter with less filaments; more evident barring on tail.

Call:

Described as croaking screech. Soft growling while feeding.

Listen Now

Video Links:

Video 1 | Video 2 | Video 3

More Information:

Parrot Society of Australia
AvianWeb

Content Sources:

NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
The Parrot Society
Article "Gang Gang Cockatoos," by Mike Owen
CITES
BirdLife International
Internet Bird Collection
ML Media Collection Catalogue 4060, Gang-gang Cockatoo Callocephalon fimbriatum, Robinson, F., Australia, 1963, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Site
Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World, Juniper and Parr, 1998
Parrots of the World, Forshaw and Cooper, 1989. 2010 edition
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006.
Parrots in Aviculture, Low, 1992.

Gang Gang Cockatoo profile
© Shutterstock

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The Gang-gang is one of only two cockatoos (the other being Major Mitchell's) with red anywhere on its head.

Academic Research

Related publications: Callocephalon fimbriatum

Species Care

Captive Status:

Uncommon

Longevity:

60 or more years.

Housing:

Walk-in aviary, minimum length 4.5m (14.7 ft).

Diet:

Mix of small seeds: limited sunflower; walnuts, peanuts, pine nuts; fresh corn, fruit especially apple, hawthorn, cotoneaster and Pyracantha berries; complete kibble.

Enrichment:

Avid chewers so provide bird safe wood (fir), wood toys, vegetable tanned leather, pine cones; bathing.

Nest Box Size:

1m (3.3 ft) long nesting log.

Clutch Size:

2 to 3

Incubation Time:

28-30 days, as low as 25 days recorded.

Fledging Age:

8 weeks

Hatch Weight:

Not available

Peak Weight:

Not available

Weaning Weight:

Not available

Gang Gang Cockatoo profile
© Shutterstock

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The Gang-gang is one of only two cockatoos (the other being Major Mitchell's) with red anywhere on its head.

Academic Research

Related publications: Callocephalon fimbriatum

Species Wild Status

World Population:

Over 20,000

IUCN Red List Status:

Least Concern

CITES Listing:

Appendix II

Threat Summary:

Habitat loss, increased susceptibility to psittacine cirovirus disease (PCD) virus.

Range:

Found in Australia from SE in E New South Wales through S Victoria to SE South Australia; introduced to Kangaroo Island.

Habitat:

Occurs in tall open forest in highlands and foothills; in winter to open woodland, riverine woodland, scrub, farmland and suburban areas. Up to 2000m (6560 ft).

Wild Diet:

Eucalypt seed pods, green acacia, Pyracantha seeds, berries, nuts, fruits and insect larvae.

Ecology and Behaviour:

Nomadic; mostly found up in trees, only coming to ground level to drink; found in pairs or small family groups during breeding season; in winter larger groups up to 60.

Clutch and Egg Size:

2 to 3, rounded oval eggs, 36.0 x 27.5mm (1.4 x 1.1 in)

Breeding Season:

October-January

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The Gang-gang is one of only two cockatoos (the other being Major Mitchell's) with red anywhere on its head.

Academic Research

Related publications: Callocephalon fimbriatum

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