MR SQUIGGLE (016) was seen in Manly Vale. Pina Colada (005) has been chilling in North Sydney. Watermelon (011) dined in Mosman on Monday. And Party Boy (027) and his mates have been hanging out in Kirribilli.

It has always been assumed that the large flock of sulphur-crested cockatoos living in tree hollows in the Royal Botanic Gardens move through the region in search of food.

High life … Party Boy and his sulphur-crested friend live it up over Sydney, where he's no stranger to Charles Miller's Kirribilli balcony.

But only now, as more birds are tagged, named and numbered, are researchers - increasingly helped by public ''spotters'' - beginning to understand the extent of their movements.

''Cockatoos have always been regarded as highly mobile, and early results reflect this,'' wildlife management officer John Martin says, checking the latest sightings posted on a special cockatoo Facebook page.