Black Palm Cockatoos

In the wild Palm Cockatoos are rarely seen. They are extremely rare in aviculture. I believe the stenolophus to be the rarest at least in aviculture considering the fact that I have had more difficulty finding facts and information on them than the other subspecies. This may also be due to their undetermined  identificational differences. Palm Cockatoos are usually found single or in pairs in the rainforest. They are continually being displaced by the growing human population. They are considered to be extremely good flyers. Their wings span is about 80 cm. and they can travel long distances to forage for food. Palms eat mainly nuts, berries, fruits and an occasional beetle. Their food of choice is the seed of the Pandanus palm. The Pandanus palm fruit is an extremely fibrous fruit that contains several small seeds. The fruit requires opening with strong hand tools when opened by man. This is probably why their beak has evolved to be structured so differently than other cockatoos and parrots. The maxilla and mandible do not meet in the back as in other birds and the maxilla is notched to provide different grip ranges.

When excited the facial patches of the Palm Cockatoo become much more red. Palm Cockatoos of all ages have been observed stomping their feet. I have been told even babies as young as a few weeks exhibit this behavior. It has been said that this is usually correlated with excitement but I have found it to be more often displayed during times of nervousness, or almost as a tantrum when something that they want has been taken away. Unlike other cockatoos their crest is usually erect. The crest is pinned down to their heads during times of depression or submission. Another odd behavior observed in the wild, is the beating of sticks on hollow logs. This is considered to be some sort of communication, possibly to ward off other birds or predators or a warning to other Palms in the area. I have observed this behavior in captive Palms. I watched a male Goliath pick up a rawhide dog bone in his foot and beat it on the tray of a play stand. I have also observed the same bird pick up the rawhide in his beak and throw it up in the air almost trying to catch it and then hurl it in my direction.