One of Australia’s most charming and quirky parrots, instantly recognizable for its small size, shaggy crest, and friendly personality. Unlike the showy white cockatoos or the giant black cockatoos, the Gang-gang is more modest in size and coloring—but no less striking. Males sport a brilliant scarlet-red head and crest, which contrasts beautifully with their smoky-gray bodies. Females, on the other hand, wear softer gray plumage with scalloped patterns in yellow and orange across their chests, blending perfectly into the eucalyptus forests they call home.
What makes the Gang-gang cockatoo stand out among cockatoos is its unusual voice. Instead of the raucous screeches most cockatoos are known for, it produces a creaky, drawn-out call that sounds hilariously like a rusty gate hinge or a squeaky door. Birdwatchers often joke that you can “hear” a Gang-gang before you ever see one.
Socially, Gang-gang cockatoos are gentle and sociable, often traveling in small, relaxed flocks. They feed on seeds, berries, and eucalyptus fruits, using their strong beaks to pry open tough seed pods. In autumn and winter, they sometimes descend from the mountains into towns and gardens, where their quirky voices and friendly demeanor make them a delight for locals
And of course, there are fun and quirky facts that make the Gang-gang a favorite among bird lovers. Their floppy, ragged-looking crest gives them a permanently “bedhead” hairstyle, making them look endearingly scruffy compared to their slicker cockatoo cousins. Despite being parrots, they’re relatively quiet and calm, often described as having a laid-back personality. Their unusual squeaky-door call is so distinctive that once you’ve heard it, you’ll never mistake it for any other bird. And while other cockatoos might feel at home in hot, tropical climates, the Gang-gang is a bird of the cool forests, often spotted against misty mountain backdrops or even dusted with snow.
Distribution
Australia
Official estimate
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Folivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
