Scientific Name: Callocephalon fimbriatum

The male gang-gang is unmistakable in his plumage of smoky grey with a bright red head and crest. The female differs in that she is grey all over, although the underparts often have feathers edged in yellowish-orange. Gang-gangs are relatively small cockatoos reaching about 35cm in length.

Did You Know? Wild gang-gangs are remarkably tame birds and can be approached quite closely. In captivity the birds are notorious for chewing their own feathers, some birds totally losing their ability to fly because they have destroyed their own wing feathers. The reason for this is unclear but may be due to a combination of boredom and a deficient diet.

Habitat: Gang-gangs are a familiar sight to residents of far southeastern Australia, particularly highland areas. Canberra, the nations capital, is a favourite haunt and, outside the breeding season, flocks of up to 100 birds may congregate creating a noisy and spectacular sight.

Diet: A wide variety of seeds and berries form the diet, including both native and introduced species of plant. Their powerful beak enables them to crack even the hardest seed capsules and nuts.

Reproduction: Nesting takes place over spring and early summer. Pairs usually stay together and breed each year, often in the same nest hole in a tree trunk or hollow limb. The 2-3 eggs hatch after about a month and the hatchlings leave the nest after a further seven weeks. Once out of the nest, the chicks will continue to beg for food from the parents for several months.