Birds were often previously bred without much attention to subspecies of origin. Until now, most birds in captivity have been of subspecies C.

The red-tailed black cockatoo is the most commonly seen of the black cockatoos in captivity, and can be hardy and long-lived if given plenty of space. Hand-reared birds are able to learn a few words and can be quite affectionate, although males may become imprinted and unlikely to breed. Hand-raised birds can be bought for anywhere between $15,000 to $40,000 in the United States, where they are seldom seen in aviculture. In the late 1990s, red-tailed black cockatoos fetched prices of $1750 in Australia and $8900 (~US$6000) overseas. Of the black cockatoos, the red-tailed is the most adaptable to aviculture, although black cockatoos are much rarer and much more expensive in aviculture outside Australia. Populations in southeastern Australia are threatened by deforestation and other habitat alterations. They are seed eaters and cavity nesters, and as such depend on trees with fairly large diameters, generally Eucalyptus. In the more northerly parts of the country, these cockatoos are commonly seen in large flocks. The species is usually found in eucalyptus woodlands, or along water courses.

Although the more northerly subspecies are widespread, the two southern subspecies, the forest red-tailed black cockatoo and the south-eastern red-tailed black cockatoo are under threat.

Five subspecies are recognised, differing chiefly in beak size. It is more common in the drier parts of the continent. Adult males have a characteristic pair of bright red panels on the tail that gives the species its name. The red-tailed black cockatoo ( Calyptorhynchus banksii ) also known as Banksian- or Banks' black cockatoo, is a large black cockatoo native to Australia.

Red tailed cockatoo