Distribution, status, social organisation, movements and conservation of Baudin's Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii) in South-west Western Australia

Abstract

-Baudin's Cockatoo (Calvptorhynchlls balldinii) is a large, iconic, forest cockatoo, endemic to the south-west corner of Western Australia and currently listed as endangered. It has suffered a substantial decline in numbers in the past 50 years. Direct causes of population decline include large numbers shot by orchardists, fragmentation of habitat and the impact of hollow competitors. In this paper we provide details of distribution, status, habitat preferences, breeding, social organisation, migration and movements, roost sites and diet. We also include observations on the relationships between birds at two large autumn~winter roost sites, eight kilometres apart in the Perth hills. The conservation of this cockatoo provides a challenge for the future especially in reducing its major threats. We recommend future monitoring of major roosts in order to determine population trends and to measure progress in conservation efforts.

Successional changes in feeding activity by threatened cockatoos in revegetated mine sites

“…The more open structure of younger revegetation may provide cockatoos with improved access to food plants, whereas high tree stem densities and closed canopies in older revegetation could reduce accessibility for these large birds. Carnaby's and Baudin's cockatoos readily feed close to the ground (Saunders 1974b;Johnstone and Kirkby 2008), and so, the lack of a dense canopy in younger revegetation may facilitate their access to proteaceous shrubs and young eucalypts in these areas. The higher abundance and availability of proteaceous foods that we recorded in younger revegetation may be due to less competition for light and water than in older, denser revegetation.…”

“…Lee et al (2013aLee et al ( , 2013b observed that black cockatoos used revegetation for feeding, but not roosting, perhaps because of the small size and open canopy of overstorey trees in intermediate-aged revegetation. Cockatoos prefer to roost in taller trees with wider canopies (Johnstone and Kirkby 2008). Whereas the larger trees in older revegetation may provide suitable roosts, cockatoos have not been observed using these areas for roosting (T. Doherty, pers.…”

“…All three species of cockatoo forage and nest in the jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) forest (Johnstone and Kirkby 2008;Johnstone et al 2013a), which is the largest contiguous forest in south-western Australia and is managed for mining, timber harvesting and water catchments, as well as biodiversity conservation (Conservation Commission of Western Australia 2012). Extensive agricultural clearing has reduced the distribution of jarrah from an estimated 5.3 million ha (mapped in Lane Poole 1920) to ~3.3 million ha (Dell and Havel 1989).…”

Satellite tracking of rehabilitated wild Baudin’s cockatoos, Calyptorhynchus baudinii: a feasibility trial to track forest black cockatoos

“…Despite research undertaken to date on Baudin's cockatoos (Johnstone andKirkby 2008, Weerheim 2008) there is still limited knowledge about migratory flock movements and habitat use and selection; and key feeding and breeding sites in the forest regions of the south-west of Western Australia remain unknown. Satellite telemetry could provide a wealth of data in these areas and allow us to develop a better understanding of these birds.…”

Attachment and performance of Argos satellite tracking devices fitted to black cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus spp.)

“…Black cockatoos, particularly the seasonally migratory Carnaby's cockatoo (Saunders 1980) and Baudin's cockatoo (C. baudinii; Johnstone and Kirkby 2008), are capable of flying long distances over short periods of time, which would make traditional very high frequency (VHF) tracking difficult. Saunders (1980) observed daily foraging movements of Carnaby's cockatoo up to 12.1 km from nests sites and one individual was recorded to travel 45 km over 2 days.…”