Palm Cockatoo Behavior and Social Organization

Palm cockatoos have a complex system of calls, displays, and other behaviors unique to the species. They incorporate these vocalizations, displays and behaviors into a rich, complex vocabulary in order to communicate in their heavily forested environment and to maintain the social organization of their family groups and flocks. In captivity, much of this natural vocabulary is not learned and other behaviors are developed independently. Close observation of captive birds is necessary to determine behavioral changes that may indicate illness, aggression, societal disharmony, etc.

The Contact Call is a disyllabic whistle (Forshaw, 1981; Deifenbach, 1985). Forshaw (1981) indicates that the first note is mellow and deep and the second note is a high-pitched shrill with an upward inflection before an abrupt finish. This call is used in flight to, and while displaying at, a congregating tree. See Congregation Display and Social Organization below.

The Alarm Call is a short harsh, screech, with a strong guttural undertone and is used to warn others of possible danger (Forshaw, 1981; Deifenbach, 1985).

A mournful, drawn out, wailing cry is sometimes used when palm cockatoos are feeding and preening (Forshaw, 1981).

When the birds are moving from the congregating area to feeding areas and when they are returning to their home territories a deep monosyllabic whistle, repeated three or four times, is sometimes used (Forshaw, 1981).

The Juvenile Food-solicitation Call (Smith, 1987) is a harsh, guttural sound maintained at a constant pitch or level and is used by the chick when begging for food. The chick continues this call while being fed, but due to the "pumping" action of its head, the sound is intermittent.

In captivity, some birds have been heard emitting a sound which resembles a disyllabic growl and it has been noted by Deifenbach (1985) that, in the wild, they growl while stomping their foot in a threat display. It has been remarked that the growl almost sounds like the bird is trying to say hello.

The bird stands upright with its crest partially raised while giving the first note of the Contact Call. The bird then lunges forward with wings spread, and crest and tail erect giving the second note of the Contact Call (Deifenbach, 1985). This display is performed frequently, two or three times in succession, by mature and immature birds in the congregation tree.

The full courtship display of the palm cockatoo is more complex than that of any other cockatoo species. The male stretches high with outstretched wings, raises his crest, deepens the color of his cheek patches and calls excitedly as he advances toward the hen (Sindel & Roberts, 1989). Many other behaviors and displays are involved in pair formation and courtship. (See Social Organization Section below, and Chapter V, Palm Cockatoo Reproduction for more information)

The palm cockatoo raises its crest and advances toward an intruder with slow deliberate steps (Forshaw, 1981). This is followed by growling and rhythmic foot stomping. Territorial conflicts have been observed in which males have fought using their feet, while the female flew beside her mate screeching (Wood, 1988).

This display is used in the early morning. The cockatoos hang inverted with outstretched wings and tail. This display can be provoked by the sight or sound of rain, sudden alteration in light intensity, as at dawn, or the covering of the sun by a dark cloud (Smith, 1987).

Unlike any other cockatoo, palm cockatoos have a large, naked cheek patch of a reddish color that deepens in intensity as the birds become excited or agitated (Forshaw, 1981; Freud, 1994). Palm cockatoos, unlike the macaws, can cover their cheeks by feather movements (Smith, 1987). This ability is useful for thermoregulation and in certain slightly stressful situations they have been observed covering their cheek patches while standing still with crest lowered. It has been postulated that this is a type of hiding behavior due to the fact that they can look like a part of the tree in the low light conditions found in thick rainforest.

Sometime during its separation from other cockatoo species, the palm cockatoo lost its ability to hiss when frightened (Smith, 1987). Under stress, they noisily stomp their feet repeatedly against a perch (Forshaw, 1981; Deifenbach, 1985).

Drumming by palm cockatoos is a rare example of "tool use" by a bird. Perched upon a dead, hollow tree, holding a stick or nut, the bird drums on the hollow trunk anywhere from 2 to 100 times, creating a considerable sound (Wood, 1984).

Another unique adaptation is the construction of a platform of chewed sticks or twigs within the hollow nest tree. Both the male and female partake in this activity, which possibly encourages pair bonding. The platform protects the egg and nestling from flooding during the frequent rains and protects the chick from its own excreta (Muller 1975, Forshaw 1981, Deifenbach 1985, Schubot 1990). (See Chapter V, Palm Cockatoo Reproduction, Nesting Behavior section for more details)

The Palm Cockatoo SSP Management group recommends that palm cockatoos be kept in pairs for breeding. For non-breeding, they can be kept in groups from 2 to 20 birds to prevent aggression. Most of the Palm Cockatoo SSP birds are kept in pairs with a few being kept as two of the same sex. One facility has kept up to 20 young hand-raised birds of similar ages together in a large flight cage with no adverse effects. It is has been noted, though, in large group exhibits in SE Asia, that some inter-specific killings often occur (Catherine King, personal communication). Mixed species exhibits are not recommended in order to prevent intra-specific hostilities but, as indicated previously, it has been done successfully in Europe with plenty of space. As with other captive animals, close observation, attention to detail, and common sense should be used to determine compatibility.

Palm cockatoos are generally peaceful birds. They can also be extremely social and territorial. Their rich vocabulary of displays and vocalizations are used to maintain social harmony and to exclude outsiders from their territories. In captivity, there have been numerous aggressive incidents with several being fatal (See Chapter VII, Medical Management of the Adult Palm Cockatoo, Common Injuries and Treatments Section for mate trauma). Most of these occurrences have been between recently introduced pairs; however, a few have occurred with established pairs, some of which had previously produced a chick. Great care should be used when introducing birds. After quarantine, it may be a good idea to house a new bird in close proximity to the rest of the collection and to give them sufficient time to learn the vocabulary before an introduction is attempted. Several methods have been used to introduce palm cockatoo pairs, such as the following:

For further information or comments, please contact Mike Taylor


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