Soon the Wheatbelt will once again hear the unique calls of the endangered and endemic Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo. From June, these semi-migratory birds travel back from the coastal areas to begin their search for suitable nesting sites in the Wheatbelt.

The nesting hollows required to successfully raise chicks can only be found trees older than 100 years and are most commonly found in smooth-barked eucalypts such as Wandoo and Salmon Gum. Suitable hollows need to be certain dimensions and be placed within 2 km of a water source and 6-12 km of food sources such as Banksia, Hakea, Eucalyptus, Corymbia and Grevillea.

Unfortunately, due to clearing and habitat fragmentation, suitable breeding sites are few and far between. This, combined with additional pressures from feral animal predation (cats and foxes), salinity, nest competition (native animals and feral European honey bees), disease, illegal shooting, poaching, vehicle collision and reduced food and fresh water resources, has resulted in pushing this species to the brink.

Although you may see flocks of these birds flying over your house and in your trees, reduced breeding success has led to an aging population that, without significant intervention, is likely to continue to decline over the coming decades. It is estimated that the number of Carnaby’s have decreased by at least 50% in the past 45 years and that a large proportion of the remaining population is beyond breeding age.

But don’t despair, there are lots of things that you can do to help secure the continued survival of the Carnaby’s and other threatened black-cockatoos (Baudin’s & Forest Red-tailed).

• Record your observations – from June the black-cockatoos will begin scouting for nesting, roosting, and foraging sites in the Wheatbelt. By recording your sightings, you will assist in gathering knowledge for their ongoing protection. Please complete this survey whenever you see black-cockatoos.
• Identify and protect the nesting hollows on your property. If you know of nesting hollows record them in the survey and consider installing a predator exclusion sleeve around the base of the tree.
• Protect remnant vegetation that could be used for nesting, roosting, or foraging through stock exclusion, weed control, rabbit control and appropriate fire regimes.
• Revegetate to increase connection between remnant bushland and the overall size of the bushland. If appropriate for your area, plant species that will provide a food source or future nesting habitat for the black-cockatoos.
• Control introduced predators (foxes and feral cats) on your property. Cage trapping, shooting and 1080 baiting are the most common methods.
• Control nest hollow competitors such as feral European honeybees, galahs, and corellas.
• Install artificial hollows if you are in a known breeding area.
• Provide a fresh water source.
• Report injured black cockatoos to Kaarakin or your nearest licenced wildlife carer (Wildcare Helpline).
• If you’re living closer to the coast you can participate in the ‘Great Cocky Count’ with Birdlife Australia in autumn each year and plant a garden that will provide food for the cockatoos when they travel back in summer.
• Be mindful of the immense value of your remnant vegetation and know that even one old tree standing in a paddock could provide a nest site for these endangered birds.

Links and Contacts:

Link to WA Black Cockatoo Recorder (Survey): https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/5c28df2edd30430bba16d188b8f28b5c

Identifying Black-Cockatoos: https://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/flora-and-fauna/identifying-southwest-bl...

Guide to downloading Survey 123 app for recording Black Cockatoos: https://www.wheatbeltnrm.org.au/sites/default/files/WA%20Black-Cockatoos...

Wildcare helpline: 08 9474 9055

Black Cockatoo Rescue Service at Kaarakin Conservation Centre: (08) 9390 2288 during work hours, or 0448 046 202 after hours.