Vocal repertoire and individual vocal recognition in the short-billed white-tailed black cockatoo, calyptorhynchus funerem latirostris carnaby

Abstract

This paper describes the 15 different types of vocalization produced by the short-billed form of the white-tailed black cockatoo. The majority of calls appear to be related to group maintenance and co-ordination. The paucity of vocalizations used in sexual situations is probably related to the fact that the birds are long-lived, with pair bonds which are maintained throughout the life of one of the partners. Analyses of one of the types of calls showed that it is possible to identify individuals from their calls and that this may be achieved by discrimination of the lengths of parts of the call. The importance of being able to identify individuals from their calls is discussed. © 1983 CSIRO. All Rights Reserved.