The following is a letter received from Australian aviculturist, Suzanne Ravaillion, who read the
article, The Genetic Evolution of Cockatoos, when it was published in the Australian
publication Talking Birds. Here is some of her correspondence to me regarding the birds who
visit her outdoor aviary in Australia. Suzanne's comments and photos are shared here with the
hope viewers of this site will also enjoy them as I did. (All photos are printed with permission
and copyrighted by Suzanne Ravaillion). LSR.
I saw your full page article in Talking Birds today. A cockatiel photo made front page with the
heading "Cockatiel came from black cockatoo." Interesting article. I have noticed how the
Yellow Tails that visit have the yellow cheek patch too.
What is funny is how my Cockatiels react to the Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos when they visit
for the pine cones on the tree outback of our home. In the parrot families, we do have white
cockies visit, Galahs (Rose-breasted Cockatoos), Lorikeets for the fruit, and plenty of Corellas
(Bare-eyed Cockatoos), but no other bird affects them like the Black Cockatoo. I'm not sure
whether they are stressed, or they want to fly free with them. The wings are certainly wilder
when they're here and they do try to communicate with them.
I look forward to reading more articles from you in Talking Birds.
Suzanne
Getting photos of the black cockatoos is difficult as they land in the huge pine tree outback to
chew on the pine cones. My yard is littered with pine branches when they visit. This is the best
photo I have ever got of them because of the height and limitations of my digital camera. No
film in the 35mm. They have a smaller flock than other birds generally. Believe it or not, there
are about 6 of them in the photo but they are lost in the dark branches. I'll put a film in the
35mm camera with a larger zoom lens for the next time they visit.
article, The Genetic Evolution of Cockatoos, when it was published in the Australian
publication Talking Birds. Here is some of her correspondence to me regarding the birds who
visit her outdoor aviary in Australia. Suzanne's comments and photos are shared here with the
hope viewers of this site will also enjoy them as I did. (All photos are printed with permission
and copyrighted by Suzanne Ravaillion). LSR.
I saw your full page article in Talking Birds today. A cockatiel photo made front page with the
heading "Cockatiel came from black cockatoo." Interesting article. I have noticed how the
Yellow Tails that visit have the yellow cheek patch too.
What is funny is how my Cockatiels react to the Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos when they visit
for the pine cones on the tree outback of our home. In the parrot families, we do have white
cockies visit, Galahs (Rose-breasted Cockatoos), Lorikeets for the fruit, and plenty of Corellas
(Bare-eyed Cockatoos), but no other bird affects them like the Black Cockatoo. I'm not sure
whether they are stressed, or they want to fly free with them. The wings are certainly wilder
when they're here and they do try to communicate with them.
I look forward to reading more articles from you in Talking Birds.
Suzanne
Getting photos of the black cockatoos is difficult as they land in the huge pine tree outback to
chew on the pine cones. My yard is littered with pine branches when they visit. This is the best
photo I have ever got of them because of the height and limitations of my digital camera. No
film in the 35mm. They have a smaller flock than other birds generally. Believe it or not, there
are about 6 of them in the photo but they are lost in the dark branches. I'll put a film in the
35mm camera with a larger zoom lens for the next time they visit.
| Reader Feedback from Australia by Guest Contributor Suzanne Ravaillion on The GENETIC EVOLUTION of COCKATOOS Copyright © 2006 by Linda S. Rubin All Rights Reserved |
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Copyright 2006 Linda S. Rubin. All photos on this page are Copyrighted 2006 by Suzanne Ravaillion.
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Black Cockatoos
| Flock of Little Corellas or Bare-eyed Cockatoos |
| Swainson's Blue Mountain Lorikeets feeding on apples |
| Swainson's Blue Mountain Lorikeets' playful acrobatics |
| Link to the original article, The Genetic Evolution of Cockatoos |