Category: Palm Cockatoo

This parrot taps out beats — and it custom-builds its instruments

9/15/2023

Male palm cockatoos prefer certain types of percussion tool, which they create themselves from branches and seed pods.

Drumroll please: Queensland cockatoos craft unique musical instruments to impress females

9/15/2023

Not only are male palm cockatoos expert toolmakers and musicians, research shows they pass their knowledge down through generations.

Australian National University researchers find 'master sculptor' in drumming palm cockatoo

9/13/2023

0 Comments

Key points:

The palm cockatoo is extremely rare and is the only bird in the world that uses a tool musically
A new study has been examining the drumstick-like tools the birds fashion from wood and seed pods
Research finds the birds methodically design and decorate drumsticks

Wild male palm cockatoos rock out with custom drumsticks

9/12/2023

0 Comments

The instruments are part of their mating display and showcase their creativity.

0 Comments

Palm cockatoo: Why a unique ‘drumming’ bird is in peril

1/6/2021

1 Comment

Palm cockatoos, the focal species of our newest paper published in Biological Conservation, are featured in the BBC News.

BBC News

Read the paper

Keighley MV, Haslett S, Zdenek CN, Heinsohn R (2021) Slow breeding rates and low population connectivity indicate Australian palm cockatoos are in severe decline. Biological Conservation 253:108865. doi:10.1016/j.biocon.2020.108865