Wild Sulphur-crested Cockatoos on the Defense

Earth Minutes are happening all around you. Sometimes you just have to listen and eavesdrop on encounters between other creatures.

In the forest at Kakadu National Park in Northern Australia, a group of sulphur-crested cockatoos (Cacatua galerita) are squawking. They raise their yellow-plumed crests and extend their wings to appear larger and threatening. High in the trees, they are having an Earth Minute. Something is causing them to be defensive. Is it a predator?

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common brushtail possum in the "Y" of the dead tree

The common brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula arnhemensis) poses no threat to the cockatoos. This small marsupial is a plant-eater like the parrots. Most likely, the cockatoos were returning to a favorite nesting cavity in the dead tree and found the possum had moved in. I'm sure the cockatoos thought the possum was a rude squatter. Equally, the possum seemed to feel it had awoken to a nightmare.

Hear a group of birds making a lot of noise? Investigate. You might experience an Earth Minute of your own.

Also Take a Wildlife Cruise on the Yellow Water, Kakadu (birds and saltwater crocodiles)

• More Australian Earth Minutes
• Flying Fox Bats in Cairns
• Spotting a Lace Monitor in the Wild

Earth Minutes with Wildlife

• Sea Birds on Michaelmas Cay, Great Barrier Reef, Australia
• Watch a Snowy Egret
• Bewick's Wrens Build a Nest

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