Glossy Black Cockatoo
(Calyptorhynchus lathami)
CITES: Appendix II
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable (VUC2a)
It is estimated that these birds spend 88% of their time foraging, primarily in Casuarina trees, selecting trees that produce seeds with a high nutrient value. A pair may make short visits to various feed trees within a small area, checking the quality of the seeds. Once satisfied, the pair will settle in the one feed tree and harvest all the cones within reach. Their flight is extremely buoyant and on long flights will fly high above the trees.
Main threat is habitat loss and fragmentation (clearing and altered bushfire patterns) of their preferred casuarina forest and woodland.
Glossy Black Cockatoo Distribution in south-eastern Australia and Kangaroo Island
|
Female Glossy Black Cockatoo (K.P.Gowland)
Return to top
Echo Parakeet (Psittacula echo)
Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus)
Red-fronted Macaw (Ara rubrogenys)
 |
|
Primary food trees |
| • |
Allocasuarina verticillata in South Australia
Casuarina littoralis in Queensland and New South Wales |
|
|
Conservation |
The relict Glossy Cockatoo population on Kangaroo Island (C.l.halmaturinus) was estimated to have increased to 300 birds in 2004 from around 180 in the early 1990's. This is following protection of nest trees from possums and the erection of artificial nests.
Priam Psittaculture Centre continues with important and innovative research into Glossy Cockatoo captive husbandry, especially in the fields of hand rearing, nutrition, remote nest monitoring and aviary design.
|
|
Juvenile Male Glossy Black Cockatoo (K.P.Gowland)
Links
Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)
Australian Wildlife Conservancy
South Australian Recovery Plan
|
