TopFamily
Cacatuidae
Genus
Calyptorhynchus
Species
fenereus
Threats/Control Methods - Regional
Large-scale bushfires and ongoing droughts severely limit the ability of this cockatoo to breed successfully and to find enough food. However, land clearing is having the biggest long-term impact on the successful breeding of this sensitive species. Removing dead trees from the forests for firewood or for safety reasons puts a strain on the forest to provide enough nesting hollows. There is also competition for the diminishing nest hollows occurs with other birds, such as the Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis ) and the Common Starling (Sturnus vulgaris ), and the Brush-tailed possum (Trichosurus vulpecular).
Threats/Control Methods - Local
While these Black Cockatoos do not breed in this area, the removal of mature eucalypt trees from the suburbs will limit their preferred habitat.
Local/Urban Actions
Although this species does not predominantly inhabit urban areas, during times of hardship (such as the bushfires and winter) their survival depends on suitable habitats in the urban regions. It is therefore important that we provide a rich and diverse urban environment, including plenty of native plants. Participating in tree plantings of native eucalypts through Greening Australia or Landcare will also help this species to survive better in the future.
Common Names
Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Funereal Cockatoo, Yellow-eared Black Cockatoo, Wylah
Distinguishing Features
The dusky black plumage, yellow cheek patch and yellow tail panel are unique to the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo. They have a grey-coloured, narrow, sharpened bill and grey legs and feet. The eye rings, pink in males and grey in females, distinguish the male and female. The males and young birds have a smaller, duller yellow cheek patch.
Survey Techniques
Call and visual identification.
Species Call
A distinctive, drawn-out "kee-ow". Some screeching.
Similar Species
Other similar parrots include the dark coloured Gang-gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum ) and the white, but similarly shaped Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacutua galerita), both with similar calls.
TopDistribution
The species occurs in southeastern Australia and is moderately common in and around the Canberra region.
Country of Origin
Australia.
Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - Regional
The January 2003 bushfires were responsible for the destruction of large areas of suitable habitats for the Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo. Surviving birds were displaced into the suburbs of Canberra in order to forage for food and nesting sites. This meant that numbers of Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos increased in 2003 by over 1500% when compared with the average of all previous years. The distribution of the species also increased by almost nine times.
Conservation (Pet/Pest) Status - National
The Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo is not listed under the EPBC Act 1999. However, in South Australia, they are considered Vulnerable under the National Parks and Wildlife South Australia (NPWSA) Wildlife Schedules 2000. The Eyre Peninsula Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo population is isolated and has declined significantly since European settlement. This population is now recognised as Critically Endangered.
LSCCES Population
This species disappeared from the survey area during the severe drought of 2001/02, before the disastrous wildfires of January 2003 burnt out much of their habitat in the ranges to the west of Canberra, bringing them back to some areas. The most recent catchment surveys showed the species are found in highest numbers at CSIRO and NMA, with none sighted in Turner or Civic West.
Associated vegetation community
Within the ACT region, the species inhabits native eucalypt forest and pine plantations.
Limiting Resources
This species requires mature or dead, hollow bearing trees for their nests in the breeding season. Across Australia, their habitat is disappearing due to land clearing and hazard reduction burning.
Breeding
This species nests in large tree hollows, usually very high off the ground. In the Canberra region, birds move up to the nearby mountain ranges over summer to breed. The female cockatoo incubates two white eggs for 28 days. It is common for only one chick to survive. The female cares for this chick for the first 20 days and then it requires parental care by both sexes for up to six months.
Behaviour
The species is seasonally nomadic with large migrations into lowland woodlands and Canberra's suburbs during autumn and winter in order to seek alternative food sources. They are well-recognised rot the way they fly slowly over the trees, calling to one another with wailing cries. They can be found in groups of up to 100, congregating and moving through the city in late winter.
Functional Group
Food Species
Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos feed on the seeds of native plants including eucalypts, banksias, hakeas and xanthorrhea. Introduced pine trees have also become a major source of seed and wood-boring insects and small flocks often forage on the seeds in their cones.
Predators
Feral Cats (Felis catus) will predate young Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos.
Interesting Fact
The Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo needs a massive hollow limb with an internal base diameter of 40cm for its nesting chamber.
References - (reader suitability of references, P=Primary teachers, S=Secondary students, T=Tertiary students and researchers)
Books:Morcombe, M. 2000. Field Guide to Australian Birds. Steve Parish Publishing, Archerfield. P, S, T
Pizzey, G. 2000. The Graham Pizzey & Frank Knight Field Guide to the birds of Australia. Harper Collins Publishers, Sydney. P, S, T
Schodde, R. and Tideman, S. (eds) 1990. Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds (2nd Edition). Reader's Digest Services Pty Ltd. Sydney. P, S, T
Internet: Birds in Backyards 2006. [online]. Available at:http://www.birdsinbackyards.net P, S, T
Canberra Ornithological Group (COG). 2004. Birds of Canberra Gardens. COG and the ACT Department of Urban Services. [online]. Available at:http://garden.canberrabirds.org.au/ P, S, T
Online Publications:Australian Bureau of Statistics. 2004. Year Book Australia 2004. [online]. Available at: http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/[email protected]/0/ccb3f2e90ba779d3ca256dea00053977?OpenDocument S, T
Australian Museum. 2003. Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoo. [online]. Available at: http://www.amonline.net.au/factSheets/cockatoo.htm P, S, T
Department of Environment and Heritage. 2007. Threatened Species- Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo. Government of South Australia. [online]. Available at:http://www.environment.sa.gov.au/biodiversity/yellowtailed.html P, S, T
Josephl, L., Emison, W. and Bren, W. 1991. Critical Assessment of the Conservation Status of Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos in South-eastern Australia with Special Reference to Nesting Requirements. Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union. [online]. Available at: http://www.publish.csiro.au/?act=view_file&file_id=MU9910046.pdf T
Nix, H. and Cunningham, R. 2006. Birds of the Lower Sullivans Creek Catchment, Canberra ACT. A report prepared for the Life in the Suburbs project using data from the Lower Sullivans Creek Catchment Ecological Survey (LSCCES) [online]. Available at: http://www.lifeinthesuburbs.com.au/category.php?id=65 S, T