Where Do Cockatoos Live in Australia?

Cockatoos (family Cacatuidae) are native to Australia, New Guinea, and nearby islands. Within Australia, they occupy diverse habitats:

• Eastern & Northern regions – highest species richness (sulphur-crested, galah, corella, black cockatoos).
• Open forests, woodlands, savannas, grasslands – foraging on seeds, nuts, fruits, insects.
• Southern & Western pockets – Carnaby’s and Baudin’s black cockatoos (SW WA), gang-gang (SE highlands).

Urban adaptation is common; sulphur-crested cockatoos thrive in Sydney, Canberra, Brisbane suburbs.