There are three species of black cockatoo that are endemic to the South West of Western Australia – the Baudin’s black cockatoo, the Carnaby’s cockatoo, and the Forest Red-tailed black cockatoo. The Baudin’s and Carnaby’s cockatoo each have white tail feathers and a similar “wee-loo” call, while the Forest Red-tailed black cockatoo has distinctive red tail feathers and a “kaarak” call.

All are threatened with extinction due to land clearing, illegal shooting, vehicle strikes, and competition with other species for nesting hollows.

Currently, it is estimated that there are only 10,000 Baudin’s cockatoos, 10,000 to 20,000 Carnaby’s cockatoos, and 10,000 to 15,000 Red-tailed black cockatoos left in the wild. Therefore, it is essential to rescue and save as many black cockatoos as we can.

Talk presented by the Darling Range Branch of the WA Naturalists Club
Entry $3