The species complex was first described by the ornithologist John Latham in 1790 as Psittacus banksii, commemorating English botanist Sir Joseph Banks.

Of the black cockatoos, the red-tailed is the most adaptable to aviculture, although black cockatoos are much rarer and much more expensive in aviculture outside Australia. Populations in southeastern Australia are threatened by deforestation and other habitat alterations. They are seed eaters and cavity nesters, and as such depend on trees with fairly large diameters, generally Eucalyptus. In the more northerly parts of the country, these cockatoos are commonly seen in large flocks. The species is usually found in eucalyptus woodlands, or along water courses. Although the more northerly subspecies are widespread, the two southern subspecies, the forest red-tailed black cockatoo and the south-eastern red-tailed black cockatoo are under threat. Five subspecies are recognised, differing chiefly in beak size. It is more common in the drier parts of the continent. Adult males have a characteristic pair of bright red panels on the tail that gives the species its name. The red-tailed black cockatoo ( Calyptorhynchus banksii) also known as Banksian- or Banks' black cockatoo, is a large black cockatoo native to Australia. Female, Northern Territory Male, Northern Territory

Pics of black cockatoo