Screech like a .... parrot!

Well, I declare!  I've never heard a more piercing screech from a bird.  Well, okay, all birds in the parrot family are LOUD!, but this was very loud for one bird.  What was more puzzling was that it sounded so close, but we couldn't see it at all.  It took three screeches, a worried look from Maestro with the comment "I think it's an eagle in our tree" and then me taking a walk down the driveway before we saw it.

On the top most branches of our Hakea tree was this very large Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo. Ever so cautiously I tried to get the children to go and get my camera whilst I stood still to keep an eye on its movements.  However, it spotted me, then Mariposa was just a wee bit too loud running to go to the house, so it flew off.  I missed the camera moment!  So, here's a picture from the OzAnimals site:

We've never had one of these so close before.  Occasionally you'd see a flock pass overhead, but never one solitary in a tree, next to the house.  Even then, I don't know if any of these were the yellow-tailed variety.  I noted the distinct yellow markings of this bird as it's eyes met mine.

If you'd like to read more information about this cockatoo, there's a great site for helping one identify backyard birds in Australia HERE.  I like this site as most of the time there is also an MP3 recording of the bird's call.  You can find this by scrolling down the page and looking on the right-hand sidebar.