Quick answer
IUCN status: Near ThreatenedPalm cockatoo at a glance
The palm cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) is a bird in the family Cacatuidae. Range in Indonesia: Papua (including Misool) and the Aru Islands. Diet: seeds, fruit, leaf buds, sometimes insects. IUCN Red List status: Near Threatened. It is a legally protected species in Indonesia (Regulation P.106/2018).
| Scientific name | Probosciger aterrimus |
|---|---|
| Indonesian name | Kakatua raja |
| Group | Birds |
| Family | Cacatuidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Papua (including Misool) and the Aru Islands |
| Linked habitats | Tropical Rainforests, Savannas |
| Diet | Seeds, fruit, leaf buds, sometimes insects |
| Range in Indonesia | Papua, Misool and the Aru Islands |
| Key feature | Black plumage, long crest, red cheek patches |
| Other names | Goliath cockatoo, great black cockatoo, Cape York cockatoo |
| IUCN status | Near Threatened (BirdLife assessment, 2023) |
| IUCN status | Near Threatened · IUCN Red List (via GBIF) · checked 1 October 2026 |
| Legal protection in Indonesia | Protected · Regulation P.106/2018 · annex no. 261 |
| Population estimate | About 260,000–640,000 mature individuals (BirdLife estimate, 2022); over 95% live in New Guinea · BirdLife International DataZone — Palm Cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus species factsheet |
| Reproduction | Laying eggs (oviparous) · Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) |
| Active | Diurnal (active by day) · EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt |
In this guide (12)
What is the palm cockatoo?
The palm cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) is a large black cockatoo with a long erectile crest of about 15 cm and bare red cheek patches. According to Animal Diversity Web, it measures 49–68 cm and weighs 500–1,100 g; males are usually heavier, with larger bills. Its powerful bill never closes completely, so the red tongue often shows. During courtship the male’s cheek skin usually turns deep red.
BirdLife places it in the cockatoo family, Cacatuidae. Its black plumage makes it easy to tell apart from white cockatoos such as the yellow-crested cockatoo.
Evidence: Animal Diversity Web — Probosciger aterrimus (palm cockatoo) ↗ · BirdLife International DataZone — Palm Cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus species factsheet ↗
Where does the palm cockatoo live?
In Indonesia, the palm cockatoo lives on New Guinea, including Misool and other western Papuan islands, and in the Aru Islands. Beyond Indonesia it occurs in Papua New Guinea and on the northern tip of Cape York Peninsula, Australia. BirdLife notes that in New Guinea it is widespread in the lowlands and foothills, occasionally up to 1,350 m, but is commonest below 750 m. Its habitats include rainforest, gallery forest, forest edges and monsoon woodland. It depends on forest but tolerates some degradation, and it needs large trees for nesting and roosting.
Evidence: BirdLife International DataZone — Palm Cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus species factsheet ↗ · Animal Diversity Web — Probosciger aterrimus (palm cockatoo) ↗
What does the palm cockatoo eat?
The palm cockatoo mainly eats seeds, fruit and leaf buds, and sometimes insects and their larvae. According to Animal Diversity Web, it forages mostly in the forest canopy but also drops to the ground for fallen fruit and seeds. Its large bill is used to crack hard seeds and fruit. Palm cockatoos often feed in groups, with one bird acting as a sentinel that calls an alarm if a predator appears. By eating and carrying fruit, the species also helps to disperse the seeds of many forest fruit trees.
Evidence: Animal Diversity Web — Probosciger aterrimus (palm cockatoo) ↗
Do palm cockatoos really play the drums?
Yes, male palm cockatoos really do drum, striking home-made sticks against trunks or tree hollows while displaying to females. They make the sticks from thick twigs or seed pods. Heinsohn and colleagues (2017) analysed 131 drumming sequences by 18 wild males on Cape York Peninsula, Australia. The beats were regularly spaced, and each male had his own drumming style. The researchers concluded that the drumming shares key elements of human instrumental music, including making a sound tool and keeping a regular beat. According to Sci-News, the sound carries up to about 100 m, and drumming is part of the male's courtship display.
Evidence: PubMed — Heinsohn et al. 2017, Tool-assisted rhythmic drumming in palm cockatoos shares key elements of human instrumental music, Science Advances ↗ · Sci-News — Male Palm Cockatoos Play Drums to Attract Mates (2017) ↗ · Animal Diversity Web — Probosciger aterrimus (palm cockatoo) ↗
Why is the palm cockatoo threatened by the wildlife trade?
The palm cockatoo is threatened by trapping for the pet trade and by forest loss, and it breeds very slowly. BirdLife assessed it as Near Threatened in 2023 and suspects a population decline of 20–29% over three generations (47 years). Females lay a single egg per nest, and at one site in Papua New Guinea pairs were estimated to nest only once every six years. According to Animal Diversity Web, chicks take 100–110 days to fledge. Even low levels of trapping, especially of adults, can therefore have a large impact, and new roads are opening forests to trappers.
Evidence: BirdLife International DataZone — Palm Cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus species factsheet ↗ · Animal Diversity Web — Probosciger aterrimus (palm cockatoo) ↗
How can the palm cockatoo be protected?
The palm cockatoo is listed as a protected species in the annex to Indonesian Ministerial Regulation P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 and is on CITES Appendix I, the strictest level of international trade control. The most direct way to help is not to buy, keep or accept wild-caught palm cockatoos. Large old trees should be kept, because the species needs deep tree hollows for nesting. BirdLife stresses the need to enforce the CITES listing, monitor trade and track forest cover in New Guinea. If you see palm cockatoos for sale, report it to local conservation officers.
Evidence: JDIH Kementerian Kehutanan — Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi (PDF, dengan lampiran) ↗ · BirdLife International DataZone — Palm Cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus species factsheet ↗
Explore related habitats
These habitat relationships are supported by species sources in this guide. This is not a complete range map.
Scientific classification of the Palm cockatoo
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Psittaciformes |
| Family | Cacatuidae |
| Genus | Probosciger |
| Species | Probosciger aterrimus |
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology (for example class Reptilia).
Common questions about the palm cockatoo
What is the scientific name of the palm cockatoo?
The scientific name of the palm cockatoo is Probosciger aterrimus, in the family Cacatuidae. In Indonesian it is called Kakatua raja.
Where does the palm cockatoo live in Indonesia?
In Indonesia, this guide records the palm cockatoo in: Papua (including Misool) and the Aru Islands.
Source-supported habitats: Tropical Rainforests, Savannas.
What does the palm cockatoo eat?
Diet of the palm cockatoo: seeds, fruit, leaf buds, sometimes insects.
How does the palm cockatoo reproduce?
The palm cockatoo reproduces by laying eggs (oviparous). Source: Vigie-Nature École (MNHN).
Is the palm cockatoo nocturnal?
The cited source records the palm cockatoo as diurnal (active by day). Source: EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt.
See also the list of nocturnal and diurnal animals in Indonesia.
What are the main features of the palm cockatoo?
Key features of the palm cockatoo, from this guide’s sources: Key feature: black plumage, long crest, red cheek patches.
How large is the population of the palm cockatoo?
About 260,000–640,000 mature individuals (BirdLife estimate, 2022); over 95% live in New Guinea. Source: BirdLife International DataZone — Palm Cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus species factsheet. Wild population figures are estimates and can differ between surveys.
What is the scientific classification of the palm cockatoo?
Scientific classification of the palm cockatoo: kingdom Animalia, phylum Chordata, class Aves, order Psittaciformes, family Cacatuidae, genus Probosciger, species Probosciger aterrimus.
Source: GBIF Backbone Taxonomy, adjusted to the ranks commonly used in school biology.
Is the palm cockatoo endangered?
Not yet in a threatened category, but close to one. On the IUCN Red List, the palm cockatoo is listed as Near Threatened: it is close to qualifying, or likely to qualify, for a threatened category in the near future. Source: IUCN Red List (via GBIF), checked 1 October 2026.
This global category is separate from national legal protection. Is the palm cockatoo protected in Indonesia?
Is the palm cockatoo protected in Indonesia?
Yes. The palm cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) is a protected species in Indonesia under Environment and Forestry Ministerial Regulation No. P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 on protected plant and animal species (annex, entry 261).
Article 21(2) of Law No. 5 of 1990, as amended by Law No. 32 of 2024, prohibits anyone from hunting, catching, injuring, killing, storing, owning, keeping, transporting or trading a protected animal, alive or dead, including its body parts, eggs and nests.
If you see this animal being traded, kept or injured, contact the local BKSDA office.
Can the palm cockatoo be kept as a pet?
No. Because the palm cockatoo is a protected species, catching, owning, keeping, transporting or trading it without a permit is prohibited by law. Trading without a permit through electronic media is also prohibited.
If you see this animal for sale or being kept, report it to the local BKSDA office.
Sources & references
- BirdLife International DataZone — Palm Cockatoo Probosciger aterrimus species factsheet ↗
- Animal Diversity Web — Probosciger aterrimus (palm cockatoo) ↗
- PubMed — Heinsohn et al. 2017, Tool-assisted rhythmic drumming in palm cockatoos shares key elements of human instrumental music, Science Advances ↗
- Sci-News — Male Palm Cockatoos Play Drums to Attract Mates (2017) ↗
- JDIH Kementerian Kehutanan — Permen LHK P.106/MENLHK/SETJEN/KUM.1/12/2018 tentang Jenis Tumbuhan dan Satwa yang Dilindungi (PDF, dengan lampiran) ↗
- Vigie-Nature École (MNHN) ↗
- EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014, Ecology 95:2027), BirdFuncDat.txt ↗
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (GBIF) ↗
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, version 2026-1, via GBIF (CC BY 4.0) ↗
References can change. Check dates and context in the original source. How we use sources and data →
Further reading
Palm cockatoo: facts, threats and conservation ↗ — World Animal Rescue Network.
Related site: PanduanHewan’s founder is also a director of World Animal Rescue Network.
Cite this page
Credit PanduanHewan when referring to this page. Check the original evidence sources before reusing a claim.
PanduanHewan. Palm cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus). Last substantive update: 1 October 2026. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/palm-cockatoo/