Glossy Black-Cockatoo

Managing a threatened population in the Central West Region

• Vulnerable-schedule 12

  • • In the Dubbo Region, the Glossy Black-Cockatoo population appears to be static, according to serveys being carried out by the Dubbo Feild Naturalist and Conservation Society.

  Glossy Black-Cockatoos live in pairs or famliy groups in eucalypt forest with casaurinas, their favored food source. There is a little doubt that this species has suffered from a loss of suitable habitat within its range.

  
  Distribution map of the Glossy Black-Cockatoo.
  Source: Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, Simpson & Day

Habitat Decline

• • Because of changes to its habitat this species is classified vulnerable, as clearing of casuarina scrub and removal of old dead trees has reduced both food and nest sites. This bird breeds only once a year, and produces only one egg each season, therefore its numbers can be reduced very quickly.

Survival Needs

• • Glossy Black-Cockatoos rely heavily on casaurinas and all landowners and landmanagers are encouraged to retain existing remnant casaurina/eucalypt habitat and to extend it where possible. Many casaurinas were removed with land clearing for grazing and crops, and regeneration of casaurinas is essential for the survival of Glossy Black-Cockatoos.

Casuarina (She-oaks) Cones in the Dubbo region

Allocasuarina luehmannii

Allocasuarina diminuta

Allocasuarina gymnanthera

Identification

• • Glossy Black-Cockatoos are often mistaken for other species of Black-Cockatoo.

    Glossies and smaller, a brownish black and have a small crest. Males have flame coloured tail feathers; females tail feathers are barred with black. The female's head and neck is marked with yellow splotches. Young birds are spotted with yellow.

    Adult male (left) & female Glossy Black-Cockatoos preening in Casuarinas. (Photo Nicholas Birks.)

Protect Your Old Dead Trees

• • Glossy Black-Cockatoos need a supply of trees hollows for nesting. Many old dead trees are used as a source of firewood, while others are simply pushed down because they are seen as useless.

    Please protect dead and mature eucalypts on your property. To encourage growth of hollow-bearing trees for the future, eucalypt seedlings should be fenced. Stands of trees rather than isolated specimens should be allowed to mature to hollow bearing age, which should be 50 to 80 years. (Photo: J.Peet)

Bird Sightings

• • Please record the location, number of birds, date and activity of the birds and send this infomation with your name and phone number to:
    • • • Dubbo Field Naturalist &
          Conservation Society
          P.O. Box 1171
          Dubbo. NSW 2830
          
          Photo: K. Hammer

    Why not become actively involved in the work to conserve this vulnerable bird? You can help by joining the Dubbo Field Naturalist & Conservation Society in its regular surveys of the Glossy Black-Cockatoo.

Published on the web for Dubbo Field Nats by the National Parks Association of New South Wales. Email: NPANSW@bigpond.com. This page posted by Edith Fink 7 April 1997.