Cockatoos are native to Australia, which serves as the primary epicenter for the family Cacatuidae. These birds, characterized by their prominent crests and curved bills, are an integral part of the Australian landscape. The continent is recognized as the main area of their evolutionary radiation and distribution, hosting the majority of species.
The Specific Native Range
The natural distribution of cockatoos extends beyond the Australian mainland, covering the geographic area known as the Australasian realm. This range includes various islands to the north and east, such as Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Cockatoos are also naturally found throughout parts of Indonesia, specifically within the Wallacea region, including islands like the Moluccas and the Tanimbar Islands.
The Philippines also contain native cockatoo populations, such as the critically endangered Philippine Cockatoo. Their presence is concentrated across this distinct set of landmasses. Populations found outside of these boundaries, such as in New Zealand or Singapore, are the result of accidental introductions or feral escapees from the pet trade.
Australia as the Center of Cockatoo Diversity
Australia’s significance to the cockatoo family is rooted in its species richness. Of the 21 recognized cockatoo species globally, 14 are found in Australia, and 11 of those exist only on the continent. This high level of endemism establishes Australia as the center of their evolutionary diversity.
The continent is home to the entire lineage of the five large, dark-plumaged Black Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus), including the Red-tailed and Yellow-tailed species. Australia also hosts the majority of the white-plumaged cockatoos and corellas, such as the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo and the Little Corella. Specialized species like the Galah and the Gang-gang Cockatoo contribute to the unique avian variety found across the continent.
Habitat and Distribution Across the Continent
Cockatoos are widely distributed across the Australian continent, inhabiting a variety of biomes due to their high degree of adaptability. Species like the Galah and the Cockatiel are specialized for open country, where they roam to feed on grass seeds. The Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo, also known as the Pink Cockatoo, is adapted to the harsh, arid conditions of the country’s interior deserts.
Other species are more confined to specific, resource-rich environments. For example, various Black Cockatoos depend on eucalypt woodlands and old-growth forests for nesting hollows. Many, like the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, have successfully colonized urbanized areas, making them a common sight in metropolitan centers where they forage on seeds and roots.