The Palm Cockatoo, Probosciger aterrimus, is a large fl parrot of the cockatoo family and this species is unique in its kind.
It is the only species in its genus (Probosciger) and subfamily (Microglossinae) and its unique position within the cockatoo family has been confirmed by molecular studies
It is found in northern Queensland and New Guinea.
Ground-foraging palm cockatoos (Probosciger aterrimus) in lowland New Guinea: fruit flesh as a directed deterrent to ...(Site not responding. Last check: 2007-11-01)
The large fleshy fruits of this tree are consumed and dispersed by cassowaries (Casuarius spp.) and are consumed and killed by palm cockatoos (Probosciger aterrimus).
Fruit flesh in this tree species appears to function as a deterrent to seed predation by palm cockatoos; the fruits of T. impediens fall to the ground before ripening, and are avoided by palm cockatoos until after the flesh has rotted off the hard nut.
These results challenge the prevailing view that fleshy fruits evolved in tight synchrony with high-quality seed dispersers and add support to the non-exclusive hypothesis that aspects of fruit fleshiness may also have evolved as a response to seed predation.
The main genus of the Black Cockatoos consists of the genus Palm Cockatoos (Probosciger) and the genus Black Cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus).
The Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) has a beautiful crest and a very powerful bill, his upper bill is huge and very sharp and does remind of a bill of the bigger macaw species.
The most prominent feature that distinguishes the Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) from the other cockatoos is the fact that he used artifacts, that is drumsticks, on the nest during the courtship display.
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Genus: Probosciger, from proboscis= elongation of the face
Species: Aterrimus, from atter = dark in color, fl, gloomy
Their plumage is fl to dark gray with bright red cheek patches which are not feathered but are bare skin that changes in intensity with excitement and increased blood flow to the small capillaries laying under the surface of the skin.
