THE annual glossy black-cockatoo survey is on this month which helps conserve a vulnerable local species.
Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said sharp eyes were needed in Redlands on Sunday, October 30, to search for the cockatoos or tell-tale signs they left behind.
“These magnificent birds are a vulnerable species in Redlands and it can be difficult to spot them, or where they’ve been, without knowing what to look for,” Cr Williams said.
“Unlike some of their noisier counterparts, these cockatoos are quieter and harder to find.
“To make sure our volunteers have the best chance of finding these secretive glossy-blacks, we are asking people to come along to one of two free glossy black-cockatoo workshops at IndigiScapes before the survey.
“It’s easy to get involved and with just a small time commitment you get the great reward of knowing you are helping to conserve a fascinating bird species.”
Workshops will be held at the Redland IndigiScapes Centre on Sunday October 23 in (morning) and Wednesday 26 October (evening).
At the workshops volunteers will hone their bird identification skills and be assigned their survey area for the day.
To get bird spotting, people can register their attendance at a workshop by calling IndigiScapes on 3824 8611 or visiting their website www.indigiscapes.com.au
Glossy black-cockatoos are solitary or travel in small groups of two or three birds.
The smallest of the black-cockatoos and fussy eaters, they feed only on the cones of two she-oak species and only from particular trees.
Breeding occurs once every two years, producing just one egg. The glossy black-cockatoo needs trees with large nesting hollows to breed.
The survey is organised by the Glossy-Black Conservancy, a partnership between government and industry to conserve the bird across south-east Queensland.
Glossy-black cockatoos are a little like red-tailed black cockatoos. They have a large dull black body to 48cms, with red tail panels.
Females have yellow patches on the head and neck and tail panels are more orange-red with black bars. Male tail feathers tend to be bright red. Young birds have yellow spotted or streaked breasts, bellies and flanks, with some yellow spots on the cheeks and sides of the head.
The Australian Museum says they mate for life, with pairs maintaining their bond all year round. When breeding, the female leaves the nest to feed after the nestlings are a week old.
Good dads, males feed the female and nestlings throughout incubation and brooding.
Their numbers are crashing due to land clearing.
