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Male Gang-gang
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© 2005 Linda S. Rubin
Reader Feedback from Australia
by Guest Contributor Suzanne Ravaillion on:

The GENETIC EVOLUTION of COCKATOOS
Cockatoo photos below copyright © 2006 Suzanne Ravaillion
All Rights Reserved
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.

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.

I look forward to reading more articles from you in Talking Birds.


Suzanne Ravaillion
Black Cockatoo in flight c. 2006 Suzanne Ravaillion
Flock of Little Corellas or Bare-eyed Cockatoos
c. 2006 Suzanne Ravaillion
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