SF Cockatoos are opportunistic feeders. They will certainly feed on nectar when it is abundant. I lived for a long time in the north of the Northern Territory . In the dry season the Darwin Woollybutt and the Darwin Stringybark flower profusely and are
a very important nectar source for honeyeaters, lorikeets and other nectar-eating birds. But I also frequently saw SF Cockatoos feeding on the nectar. This seemed normal to me. Cockatoos are more omnivorous than we often think and exploit many food sources
including nectar when it is obviously abundant. At other times with fewer flowers it is probably not worth the energy equation to seek nectar when more readily exploitable energy sources are available.
Cheers
John
From: mariko buszynski <>
Date: Tuesday, 11 August 2015 6:58 pm
To: chatline <>
Subject: [canberrabirds] Sulphur-crested Cockertoo
Hi all,
As I was walking Lyon this morning, there was an iron bark in flower (red). I saw a sf cockatoo holding some flowers and he seemed to be licking them? What is he doing? I did not think that a cockatoo would lick nectar from flowers??
Regards,
Mariko
