and beautiful breeding pairs are the Leadbeater ’ s or the Major Mitchell ’ s Cockatoos , commonly known as Pink Cockatoos . They are shy birds . Originally from Australia , the most prominent feature of these medium-sized birds is the large white-tipped crest that is banded in red and gold . They have soft-textured white and salmonpink plumage . They are named
in honor of Major Sir Thomas Mitchell , who wrote : “ Few birds more enliven the monotonous hues of the Australian forest than this beautiful species whose pinkcolored wings and flowing crest might have embellished the air of a more voluptuous region .”
Thank you , Al Howard , for sharing your unusual collection of beautiful birds with us .
Top Left : Al Howard and his pet Moluccan cockatoo , Fred . Left : Blu and Gold Macaws .
FALL 2009 GILROY TODAY 25