Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris)

The Short-billed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris), also known as Carnaby’s Cockatoo or Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo, is a large black cockatoo endemic to south-western Australia.

The endangered Carnaby’s black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris) is one of just two species of white-tailed black cockatoo on Earth. The other is the Baudin’s black cockatoo, and they are both found only in the Southwest Australia Ecoregion.

How many are there?

It is difficult to know how many Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoos are left, but it is known that their populations have declined by over 50% in the past 45 years, and that they no longer breed in up to a third of their former breeding sites in the Wheatbelt.

They are gregarious birds and live in pairs or small flocks during the breeding season. After fledging, the young move with their parents from breeding areas to feeding areas where other family groups join the flock.

The cockatoos live for 40-50 years in the wild. A large proportion of the remaining population now is past breeding age. When these older birds die, there will be very few younger birds to take their place.

What is threatening them?

There are a number of threats facing Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo:

Habitat fragmentation, particularly in the northern and eastern areas of the Wheatbelt. Most habitat suitable for breeding and feeding in the Wheatbelt has been cleared entirely or fragmented. In addition, clearing of heathland surrounding breeding sites has reduced the survival rate of fledglings by decreasing the available food sources for the young
Removal of nest hollows for use as firewood or just to make properties look ‘tidy’. Much woodland lacks hollows, and it takes over 100 years for woodland seedlings to mature and form hollows suitable for nesting
Competition for hollows from other species
Loss of native food sources caused by urban development on the Swan coastal plain
Poaching: illegal poaching is still a threat – trees are often cut down or the hollow severely damaged when young and eggs are taken, removing breeding sites
Invasive species: other bird species such as the Galah and the Western Long-billed Corella are extending their range in the Wheatbelt and are competing with and excluding Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoos from traditional nest hollows.

Carnaby’s Cockatoo Range

Carnaby’s Black Cockatoos can be seen in Western Australia, even in some parks in the city of Perth! Another easily reached place to see them is Yanchep National Park just north of Perth. You can get to Australia using airline miles and get to the national parks via rented car.