Gang-gangs again

This delightful little Gang-gang Cockatoo family are sharing a tender moment.

This week’s photograph shows Ma and Pa Gang-gang Cockatoo canoodling while the young male takes a nap – they were utterly gorgeous to watch. Many bird species engage in allopreening as a pair bonding activity, they mate for life and build very strong bonds.

Gang-gangs are small cockatoos, measuring about 34cm and weighing about 257g – compared to the much larger Sulphur-crested Cockatoos (last week’s species) that measure about 48cm and weigh about 833g. Their calls are very different too, the gang-gangs soft creaky-door call is far more subtle than the raucous screech of the Sulphur-crested Cockies.

Gang-gangs need hollows to nest in and sadly many hollow-bearing trees are being cut down. Loss of habitat, including from bushfires, has caused this exquisite species to be listed as Endangered. Various programs are looking at installing nest boxes to enable the species to continue breeding.

I’m super busy so apologise for just sharing one image – though I hope you agree that it is a pretty spectacular shot of the interaction of this little family. I love the way the youngster is snuggled beside his dad, and the pair-bonding activities of the parent birds were truly delightful to witness.

Happy birding, Kim

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