This large and charismatic cockatoo is quite common around outer urban areas particularly where there are pines that were planted by Australia's early settlers. The birds use their powerful beaks to tear open pine-cones and the seeds of Australian native plants such as banksia and hakea. They will often be seen in small flocks flying just above treetop level with their distinctive slow, steady wing-beat and their rather mournful calls. These calls have earned it the name of Funereal Bird.