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OBSERVATIONS OF BEHAVIOUR OF SULPHUR-CRESTED COCKATOOS Cacatua galerita IN SUBURBAN SYDNEY


A population of Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita at Ashfield, New South Wales, was observed over a four year period. The birds were intentionally habituated to human observers and contact with humans was positively reinforced. The habituation process allowed behaviour patterns to be observed at distances of 0.5-3 m which is closer than other studies on free-ranging Sulphur-crested Cockatoos. Five previously undescribed behaviour patterns were noted - pair beak-clacking, posing, male/male beak-clacking, male/male allopreening and chorusing. The courtship display differed strikingly from previous descriptions. Other observed behaviour patterns were similar to previous descriptions for Cacatua species.

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