South West Catchments Council (SWCC), together with their regional partners are conducting a survey to gain knowledge on where Carnaby’s Cockatoos are located in the South West.
Photo Credit: Keith Lightbody
Information gathered from the survey will be used to guide on-ground activities to improve the nesting success of the species through the inland areas of the South West Region. This area includes the Shires east of, and including Boyup Brook and West Arthur.
Carnaby’s cockatoos generally move from coastal areas to the Wheatbelt in winter each year to breed, a behaviour which has earned them the nickname of ‘rainbirds’.
The success of their breeding efforts has been declining due to the loss of breeding hollows and the lack of suitable food sources within flying distance of nesting sites.
South West Catchments Council will work with local Landcare groups across the birds’ breeding areas to address these issues and help to stop the decline of this species.
“In order to do this, we first need to understand where the Carnaby’s cockatoos are breeding and we’re seeking the help of the community to do this” SWCC’s Threatened Species Program Manager Dr Brian Chambers says.
“There are very few Carnaby’s cockatoos inland at the moment, but we would like for members of the community to tell us about where they have seen black cockatoos in the past, whether they have been seen feeding, roosting (staying overnight) or breeding.”
SWCC is also keen to hear from people if they have never seen black cockatoos on their properties, with Dr Chambers saying this information helps to build up a better picture of the birds’ behaviour.
SWCC’s partners across the South West that are working on this project include Blackwood Basin Group, Shire of Kojonup, Wagin-Woodanilling Landcare Zone, Katanning Landcare, Shire of Kent, Shire of Dumbleyung and Birdlife WA.
Cockatoo sightings can be submitted online at https://app.maptionnaire.com/en/7399/
