Calyptorhynchus Banksii

The Female Red Tailed Black Cockatoo, Calyptorhynchus Banskii, defies the general rule of the bird kingdom, where the male displays the most ornate plumage. This majestic lady of the sky has the distinction of being the first bird from Eastern Australia to be illustrated by a European and was sketched by Joseph Banks’ draughtsman, Sydney Parkinson in 1770. Contrary to her name, which describes the male, she has orange and red panels on her tail feathers, which compliment her beautiful speckled face. Due to forestation and removal of habitat, they are sadly now listed as endangered.