Melbourne Zoo - Great Flight Aviary » Melbourne Zoo

Melbourne Zoo - Great Flight Aviary
19-06-2011

I have been to the Great Flight Aviary at the Melbourne Zoo a couple times in the last week, and I was wondering how come the Red Tailed Black Cockatoo (male) is so friendly.

He sticks around on the ledge near the exit and allows everyone to pat him. Maybe he is an abandoned pet, or maybe he is just really sociable? Anyone knows his story?

Cheers.

19-06-2011

I noticed this as well. I saw some other red tailed black cockatoos who hung around him but still stayed away from the public, while he was on the railing enjoying pats by the public and I believe he said a few words.

19-06-2011

Adelaide's red-tailed black cockatoo in the wetland aviary is the same, always coming up to whoever visits. Maybe he was hand raised but I'm not sure.

20-06-2011

Yeah, we went to the zoo on Sunday for half an hour specifically to interact with him. He really relishes the attention, and if he didn't like being patted, he could just fly off.

I think that's the most animal interaction that you can get at Melbourne Zoo, unless you count the ever-present seagulls!!

25-06-2011

He's only really started doing this recently. He used to stay up near the cassowary section before with another black cockatoo.

25-06-2011

I was thinking this must be a new black cockatoo? I haven't had much time in recent months to visit the zoo. I've watched one male red-tailed interacting with a keeper, but never seen one engaging visitors.

25-06-2011

He may be new, or maybe the other red tail died and this one has become lonely and is seeking out company. The last two time I've been, I've one seen the one red tail near the exit door on the bar interacting with people. I might ask on the zoos victoria facebook page.

25-06-2011

There is still a second red tailed black female in the aviary. She stays high up on the dead branches, but keeps an eye on patrons and the male. I couldn't coax her to come down. I'll see if I can post some pics here.

25-06-2011

A couple pics of a sociable bird.

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25-06-2011

He is beautiful. He has waddled up to me once in this same spot. Perhaps he is new? Within the last 6-9 months?. I actually went to the zoo yesterday, but ran out of time to get to the avairy. Hopefully I'll get in there next week.

25-06-2011

That bird is asking to be stolen.

25-06-2011

Maybe that is why the bloke in the pictures can't be identified and is carrying a big, black bag??

25-06-2011

Did not notice the big black bag, hmm suspicious.

25-06-2011

A friendly glossy black cockatoo just like this was stolen from Taronga's rainforest aviary back in the '70's...



Hix

25-06-2011

Haha. That big black bag belongs to another zoo patron. It doesn't match with my coat.

A couple years ago an eclectus parrot was stolen from a Melbourne pet shop. It was a big story here. They got it back in the end after a media and internet blitz.

Interesting point about the bird at Melbourne zoo being stolen in the future. That would a real shame, considering that they can bought in a pet shop for a few thou.