Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo

A striking feather from a large, iconic Australian parrot. The Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo is a massive bird (up to 67cm) with mostly black plumage, yellow cheek patches, and these magnificent yellow panels in the tail. They are known for their slow, buoyant flight and haunting, wailing calls.

Distinctive bi-colored pattern featuring a deep brownish-black base color with a broad, bright yellow panel spanning the central portion of the vane. The yellow is likely caused by psittacofulvin pigments.

Densely packed pennaceous barbs providing a rigid structure for flight stability, with a small plumulaceous section near the base of the calamus.

Thick, sturdy rachis, dark brown to black in the upper section while becoming lighter/pale near the calamus. Barbs are tightly knit to form a continuous vane.

Relatively stiff and smooth; the surface has a slight matte to semi-gloss finish characteristic of large psittacines.

Tail (Rectrix). The specific color pattern—a large yellow panel surrounded by black—is diagnostic of the tail feathers of this species.

Bold yellow panel on a black/dark-brown background; large size; rigid rectrix structure; pale calamus.

Damp and dry sclerophyll forests, woodlands, pine plantations, and occasionally urban parks and gardens.

Southeastern Australia, from Eyre Peninsula in South Australia to south-central Queensland, including Tasmania and the Bass Strait islands.

Important seed predator and consumer of wood-boring larvae, helping to regulate insect populations within forest ecosystems.

Carnaby's Black Cockatoo (white tail panels), Baudin's Black Cockatoo (white tail panels), and Glossy Black Cockatoo (red or orange-red tail panels).

The yellow panels in the tail are used in displays during courtship; these birds have incredibly strong bills capable of cracking open hard woody seed pods and extracting wood-boring grubs.

Significance in various Aboriginal Australian cultures; historically used in indigenous ornamentation. In modern times, they are highly prized by feather collectors but protected by law.

Look for these beneath large eucalyptus trees or pine stands where the birds congregate to feed; the wailing 'kee-ow' call usually precedes their arrival.

The feather appears to be in fair to good condition, showing some separation of the barbs (splits) along the yellow panel, which is common in naturally molted feathers.