The Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo (Cacatua leadbeateri), also known as the Leadbeater’s Cockatoo or the Pink Cockatoo, is a medium-sized cockatoo that inhabits arid and semi-arid inland areas of Australia, though it is seen regularly in other climates, for example, South-East Queensland’s subtropical region1. It is named after Major Sir Thomas Mitchell.

The Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo has a black bill, a stout body, and a long tail. It measures about 36–40 cm (14–16 inches) in length and weighs about 300–400 g (10.6–14.1 oz). It has a distinctive crest that can be raised or lowered, depending on its mood. The crest is white with a red band and yellow tips. The plumage is mostly white, with bright pink and peach-colored feathers on the wings and tail.

The Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo lives in open wooded areas, especially with oaks, acacias, and eucalyptus. It is uncommon and often inconspicuous, as it forages mainly at middle to upper levels of the forest1. It feeds mostly on seeds, nuts, berries, insects, eggs, and small animals. It sometimes visits bird feeders, where it may compete with other birds for food. It has a loud and harsh voice, and can imitate the sounds of other birds, animals, and humans. It has a distinctive chuckling call note, and a song that resembles a robin’s but is clearer and less nasal.

The Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo breeds from August to January, depending on the location. It builds a cup-shaped nest of twigs, moss, and mud, usually in a hollow of a eucalyptus tree. The female lays 2 to 4 eggs, which are white and oval-shaped. The male helps to incubate the eggs and feed the young. The chicks fledge after about 8 weeks, and stay with their parents for another 6 months.

The Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo is a resident bird that does not migrate. It is not threatened by extinction, and has a large and stable population. However, it may face some threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, and degradation, as well as from predators, parasites, and diseases. Therefore, it is important to protect and conserve its natural environment, and to appreciate its beauty and role in the ecosystem.