GANG GANG

Callocephalon fimbriatum

FLOWN THE COUP
This beautiful, small darkgrey, almost owl-like bird used to live in Northern
Tasmania and King lsland as well as on the mainland. White settlement soon fixed
that and sent them away t down all the eucalypts to clear the land for farming
and their winter food source of gum nuts has gone --- and so are the birds.
They are the faunal emblem of the Australian Capital Territory (Canberra), but are
listed as vulnerable Perhaps we need a story (like the Ravens at the Tower of
London) that if the birds die out so will the politicians. Stop cutting down the
stringy bark treesl

DISTINGUISHED
The adult male Gang Gang’s body
is slate grey in color, with a red head,
and a floppy red crest The adult
female is mostly grey in colour They
share nesting taking it in tums to sit
on the eggs and rear the chicks Red
crowned cockatoos, as they are
sometimes called, are not the easiest
of birds to keep in captivity They get
bored and over preen causing feather
loss We supply fresh foliage for them
to feed on, they also enjoy cooked
chops and chicken bones We breed
from our Gang Gangs which is
usually a sign of suitable welfare
management.
lt’s unique call (like a creaky door
closing), the way this bird clambers
about on the mesh of its aviary; the
way it flicks its crest out forward
when excited and the slow use if its
feet in putting food to its beak make
for interesting viewing.
These fascinating birds will sit for
hours during the warmer part of the
day, cuddling up and preening
each other.