Glossy Black Cockatoo
The Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami) is one of the rarest and most threatened species of Australian cockatoo.
Glossy Black Cockatoo Community Planting
Date: 3 September 2011
Time: 9.30am - 12.00pm
Venue: Corner High St and Bamboo Rd, Russell Island (UBD Ref. Map 248 K15)
In recognition of Threatened Species Week 2011, come along to the 8th annual Glossy Black-Cockatoo community planting to help us plant 700 native plants. Mainland residents can catch a ferry departing at 9.00am from Weinam Creek Marina, Banana Street, Redland Bay. Please register with IndigiScapes if you require a transfer on Russell Island. Tools, gloves, sausage sizzle and refreshments will be supplied. Don't forget to wear sun protection and enclosed shoes and bring along some drinking water.
Background
The Glossy Black Cockatoo, also known as the Casuarina Black Cockatoo, can be found in the south eastern parts of the country ranging from Eungella in eastern Queensland through to east Gippsland, Victoria.
Glossy Black cockatoos are endemic to Australia – meaning they are only found in Australia and nowhere else in the world.
They only eat from one or two trees – Allocasaurina littoralis and A. Torulosa, and require watering holes near their feeding and nesting sites.
The female Glossy Black Cockatoo has a slow reproduction rate, only laying eggs once every two years.
Having a very restricted diet (they feed only on the cones of she-oaks), the Glossy Black Cockatoo is susceptible to habitat loss through land clearing and logging for agriculture and urban development.
Glossy Black Cockatoos in the Redlands
Did you know that the Redlands is home to the rare glossy black cockatoo?
In the 2010 survey of Glossy Black Cockatoos, there were two birds sighted in the Redlands area – a male, and a female.
The Redlands community holds an annual Glossy Black Cockatoo Community Planting on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands where hundreds plants are planted for the benefit of the cockatoo to increase habitat and food sources.
Where to find them?
Although rare, the species is widespread throughout forest and woodland habitats, from the central Queensland coast to East Gippsland in Victoria, and inland to the southern tablelands and central western plains of New South Wales.
An isolated population of Black Glossy Cockatoos can be found on Kangaroo Island, South Australia.
Human impacts on the Black Glossy Cockatoo:
- Loss of tree hollows
- Fires
- Illegal bird smuggling and egg collecting
- Clearing of habitat for development
How you can help the Glossy Black Cockatoo?
- Reduce the impact of fires and burning in known habitat areas
- Protect existing known nesting sites
- Retain and protect existing habitat
- Establish habitat corridors in developed areas
- Report illegal animal poaching
- Planting to increase habitat and food source
Related links
Read more from www.glossyblack.org.au: