The time has come for black-cockatoos, Carnaby’s in particular, to head back into the Wheatbelt ahead of their breeding season. Carnaby’s spend the summer months on the Swan Coastal Plain before heading into the Wheatbelt from June onwards in search of a suitable breeding hollow. They travel the vast distance in large flocks before breaking up into smaller groups then into pairs to prospect.
When prospecting, the pair returns to an area within 50km of the female’s natal area to find a hollow for their breeding attempt. If they’ve been successful in raising and fledging a chick in a particular hollow, they’ll aim to reuse it the following season and similarly if they’ve had a failed attempt they will not return to that hollow.
The hollows must be of adequate size and are often found in Marri, Salmon Gum or Wandoo trees that are at least 150 years old. The female will inspect the hollow, often chipping around the entrance, while the male perches nearby. Once the hollow is chosen, the female will sit on the egg for around 30 days, only leaving for water. During this time, the male forages for them both, often with large flocks of males seen together.
As part of our Protecting WA Black-Cockatoos project, we first need to identify breeding areas to then be able to ensure there are adequate food and water sources surrounding the nests. This is where our Wheatbelt community comes in. By recording sightings of black-cockatoos using our WA Black-Cockatoo survey, we can get an idea of the areas they’re using for roosting, foraging, and potentially nesting which helps to guide our search efforts.
You can access this survey by following this link: survey and further instructions can be found below.
Additionally, this year’s Free Trees events have a black-cockatoo focus, with the aim that many of the species we’re giving away will provide food and habitat into the future. Come and see us at Corrigin, Newdegate, Goomalling, Wickepin, or Northam to have a chat about black-cockatoos and what you can do to help. Find out where Free Trees Events are being held here.
This project is supported by funding from the Australian Government’s National Landcare Program.