There is something special about Gang Gang Cockatoos. They are rarely seen, sound like creaky hinges and are not as raucous or as gregarious as other cockatoos. They are usually found higher up in the taller trees. I have only seen them a few times in my life and the first was when I was 19, camping on my own at the Cathedral Ranges north of the Black Spur. The male’s bright red head had always made an impression on me. It was many years before I saw another one.
On the last day of birding on my recent Easter trip to the Bellarine region of Victoria, I got up early and drove down the coastline to Anglesea Heath. It is a vast region of heathland, scrub and trees. It has many tracks to explore and I gave the Liberty Outback a real bush bashing. In the middle of the park is a coal mine and a power station – quite strange to find and hear. Where I stopped the car to look at the power station and view a roadside sign and map, I noticed bits of seeds and leaves dropping onto me and the car. In the tree above me was a small flock of Gang Gang Cockatoos – several females and at least one brightly headed male. The male was taking a nap while the girls chewed on the gum nuts. They were not very far off the ground and I had a good chance to take a few pics between the branches. They were not bothered by me at all.
Napping male Gang Gang Cockatoo, Anglesea Heath, Victoria, 4 April 2015
Female Gang Gang Cockatoo, Anglesea Heath, Victoria, 4 April 2015
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