 Yellow @-@ tailed black cockatoos are diurnal , raucous and noisy , and are often heard before being seen . They make long journeys by flying at a considerable height while calling to each other , and they are often seen flying high overhead in pairs , or trios comprising a pair and their young , or small groups . Outside of the breeding season in autumn or winter they may coalesce into flocks of a hundred birds or more , while family interactions between pairs or trios are maintained . They are generally wary birds , although they can be less shy in urban and suburban areas . They generally keep to trees , only coming to ground level to inspect fallen pine or banksia cones or to drink . Flight is fluid and has been described as " lazy " , with deep , slow wingbeats . 
