University of New England ecology student Shannon Carne is conducting research into the feeding habits of the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo in the Armidale region. And she needs the local population’s help!

Shannon, who is completing a Graduate Diploma of Ecology at UNE’s School of Environmental and Rural Science, is encouraging locals to complete a short online survey about sightings of Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos.

Shannon says the information gained from survey participants will be vital to further understanding of population numbers of the iconic Australian bird.

“The Yellow-tailed black-cockatoo is listed as a vulnerable species in South Australia, with populations considered to be critically endangered on the Eyre Peninsular,” Shannon said.

“There is no current concern over their status in NSW, but it is important to broaden our knowledge and understanding of the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo to ensure population numbers do not decline.”

Shannon’s research aims to map local populations of the Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, assess key foraging flora species and food types in the region, assess feeding behaviours in the region, and identify whether foraging resources and behaviours vary between sub-populations across the Armidale Dumaresq Local Government area.

The survey will be available online from 3 November at the following link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/cockatoo

The Survey

  • Survey open 3rd – 23rd November 2014
  • The survey questions are aimed at residents living in the Armidale Dumaresq Local Government Area. The survey consists of short answer or multiple choice questions and should take no longer than 5 minutes to complete. The survey questions are based on resident’s observations of YTBC on their property.
  • Survey and Competition link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/cockatoo
  • Complete the survey to enter the draw to WIN an iPad mini
  • Important that both residence who have observed YTBC on their property and those who have not participate in the survey
  • Public survey responses will be used in conjunction with field observation research to identify the distribution, abundance and foraging behaviors of YTBC in the Armidale Dumaresq Local Government Area.

 

This survey has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee, University of New England (Approval No HE14-290.  Valid 3/11/2014—3/11/12015)

Extra notes

Significant environmental change resulting in the loss of foraging and nesting habitat is a major threat to the population stability of YTBC. Additionally behavioural traits such as  slow reproduction rates (one chick raised per breeding pair, and sexual maturity at 2-4 years of age), habitual foraging and nesting behaviours, time invested in caring for young (ca 1year) and the strong bond between breeding pairs has the potential to put this species at a disadvantage during times of major environmental change. (Saunders, 1982, Way and van Weenan 2008,White et al 2014). Competition for suitable nest sites with other cockatoos or large birds, feral bees (Apis mellifera) and brush-tail possums may affect the cockatoos ability to breed thus impacting on population growth even if foraging resources are adequate (Way and van Weenen 2008).Finally yellow-tailed black cockatoos are at risk of predation by large birds of prey such as Wedge-tailed eagles which are capable of taking birds during flight, ,possums and rats which have been reported to feed on cockatoos eggs as well as foxes and cats. Yellow-tailed black-cockatoos are particularly vulnerable to the latter two while foraging close to the ground or while drinking at waterholes and dams (Way and van Weenen 2008).

Plantations, particularly introduced Pinus species, have boosted numbers and in some areas the YTBC are dependent on the plantations, feeding on seeds and the larvae of wood-boring insects.