Gang-gang Cockatoo

The distinctive and charming Gang-gang is a favourite bird for many people. 

In summer, Gang-gangs mostly inhabit the higher country where they prefer to breed using tree hollows for nesting sites. As the daily temperatures drop, they move down to the lower country to spend the winter.

Sometimes it is not unusual for some birds to remain almost year-round in our area. At this time of year, winter, it is not unusual to see and hear Gang-gangs flying in their typical laboured manner between food sources in gardens and parklands of Drouin. They feed on the seeds and fruits of eucalypts and wattles and many introduced plants. Often, they will return to the same tree day after day until the food is exhausted. When they are feeding, Gang-gangs can sometimes afford a close up look for anyone passing by.

The Gang-gang Cockatoo is endemic to the south-east corner of Australia. Their range is quite limited in fact and their populations are vulnerable to land clearing activities and natural events such as bush fires and drought. Recently, it is believed their numbers have dropped significantly.

The scientific name, Callocephalon fimbriatum, means beautiful fringed head, which seems appropriate. ‘Gang-gang’ is most likely an aboriginal derivation of the sound (LINK) the bird makes as it flies between sites. The Gang-gang is the faunal emblem of the ACT.