Help save the black cockatoos

A baby forest red-tailed black cockatoo has hatched and fledged from an artificial nesting box installed by the City of Armadale.

The project which is partly funded by the State Government aims to help conserve the three threatened species of black cockatoos which are native to southwest WA – Baudin’s, Carnaby’s and forest red-tails.

Population numbers have been in steady decline due to loss of habitat from urban expansion, raven attacks, vehicle strikes, being illegally shot, and a significant loss of breeding hollows. The latter is due to competition with other birds and feral European honeybees.

City of Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones OAM, JP said the nesting boxes showed some promise in aiding the plight of these charismatic creatures by providing them with areas to breed in.

“Since 2016, the City has been installing nesting boxes to help conserve wildlife like possums, micro bats, phascogales and quendas in a number of local reserves including Armadale Settlers Common and Bungedore Park,” he said.

The City monitors over 100 nesting boxes, some of which are fitted with cameras to collect behavioural information. It was through one of the cameras that the latest mother and baby forest red-tailed black cockatoos were discovered. This is the third bird to successfully fledge from the project’s artificial nesting boxes.

The City also works with the WA Museum to track the birds and collect DNA samples which go towards informing scientific research on black cockatoo conservation plans.

There is a misconception that because black cockatoos are seen regularly that there are many of them around – but this is only because they are being forced out of their natural habitats into urban areas.

“Instead of having a manicured lawn in the yard, the public can help by planting native species that black cockatoos can feed on,” Mayor Zelones said.

“We all have to do our part if we want to continue to see magnificent species like the black cockatoo around.”

Contact the City of Armadale's Environmental Services team for more information on 9394 5000.