Formerly known as Major Mitchell's Cockatoo. Flight is low with rapid wingbeats, alternating with brief glides. Non-breeding brids form wandering flocks. Bonded pairs remain resident in their large territory. Ground or arboreal feeder, taking seeds and fruits, nuts, roots and insect larvae.

Found in arid and semi-arid scrublands, lightly timbered grasslands, casuarina stands, mallee and sypress pines.