In Australia they are a common sight around the southeast. A good-sized healthy parrot can measure 62cm in length and weigh up to 1kg.
Unusual features are distinctive red rings around the eyes and yellow cheek patches. Visitors to the aviary would often be concerned about the rings, thinking he was unwell, but rings are normal for the male.
Like the red tail cockatoo, the yellow tailed bird has striking yellow blocks of colour on the tail feathers and subtle lighter yellow banding along the front breast, becoming less marked over the top of the body.
"Darth", short for Darth Vader, as he was known, was a very cool bird. His history is interesting, as he came to New Zealand in 1988 from Australia and first lived at Auckland Zoo. In 1997, he arrived in Dunedin with his mate, with hopes they might breed. His early record shows he hatched in the 1970s, so he was well into his 40s at the time he died.
Over the past year and a-half, Darth had health problems, natural for a bird his age, which, unfortunately, became progressively worse. He was taken off display and kept in the constant care of an expert avian vet, but died from a heart attack.
He was a gentle old fella and will be missed greatly. Unfortunately, the early pairing never led to any offspring.
Garden Life is produced by Dunedin Botanic Garden. For further information contact Alisha Sherriff.
