The Pink Cockatoo
By Richard Eggleston
The renaming of the Pink Cockatoo
The Pink Cockatoo, has had a few names throughout history and has recently undergone changes in taxonomy. Initially referred to as Leadbeater's cockatoo by John Gould, the renowned Australian ornithologist, it was named after Benjamin Leadbeater, a London naturalist and taxidermist, upon its scientific classification in 1831 as Cacatua leadbeateri.
Sir Thomas Mitchell, the surveyor general of New South Wales from 1828 to 1855, held an admiration for this bird and referred to it as the red-top cockatoo. He was profoundly captivated by its beauty and eloquently described it as a species that brought vibrancy to the otherwise dull hues of the Australian forest. Mitchell's vivid portrayal led to the renaming of the now officially endangered Pink Cockatoo to Major Mitchell's cockatoo in 1977.
The evolution of bird naming reflects a growing understanding that taxonomy should be culturally and socially inclusive. Common names bear the weight of historical context and societal power structures. The practice of naming places and their fauna after colonial conquerors is considered a clear manifestation of dominance and ownership. As a result, there's a movement within the scientific community to adopt more culturally sensitive and inclusive terms for species, aiming to rectify historical imbalances and promote respect for diverse cultural perspectives.
This beautiful bird’s former name represented colonial dominance – and told us nothing about the species. As of now, the reversion to the name "Pink Cockatoo" is pending finalisation, awaiting inclusion in BirdLife Australia's forthcoming Working List of Australian Birds.
Materials used: Steel
Size: 1.5m
If you have any enquiries about this sculpture or interested in purchasing it, please feel free to reach out to our team at stevensstreetgallery@gmail.com or call the gallery on 0494 022 174.
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Richard Eggleston
Richard Eggleston's artistic journey began on his Darling Downs family farm where he indulged his passion for wood carving whenever time permitted. After retiring to the Sunshine Coast in 2000, he joined a woodworkers group in Cooroy, where he carved an impressive front door for a friend's new home. However, it was the discovery of an anvil and an old farm welder that inspired Richard to explore a new medium - stainless steel. Several of his stainless steel sculptures have been showcased at Sculpture on the Edge, and two of them now adorn the gardens of Spicers Tamarind Retreat.
Richard's artistic pursuits continued with a two-year ceramics course at TAFE in Cooroy, where he honed his skills in sculpting. He also completed a bronzing course at the USQ Summer School in Toowoomba and received a commission to create a life-size bronze howling dingo for the Jondaryan Woolshed.
His artistic endeavours also include a stainless steel sculpture of the late Stan Kuhl, commissioned by the Friends of the Peacehaven Botanic Park at Highfields. Richard based the sculpture on a well-known photo of Stan leaning on a farm gate during his dairy farming days.