Black Cockatoos

The City of South Perth is committed to protecting and enhancing our natural environment, ecosystems, and biodiversity. Wildlife conservation plays a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance and safeguarding the unique species that call our community home.

Black cockatoos are much-loved residents of the City, often seen in areas such as Sir James Mitchell Park, Salter Point Lagoon, or Bodkin Park. These iconic birds are a vital part of our urban bushland and ecosystems.

Black Cockatoo Species

There are three species of black cockatoo that are native to south-western Western Australia and found nowhere else in the world:

  • Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii naso)
  • Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris)
  • Baudin’s Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii)

All three species are facing serious threats due to habitat loss from land clearing, fragmentation, and a shortage of suitable nesting hollows. These pressures have contributed to their endangered conservation status, with population numbers continuing to decline.

How We’re Helping

The City is actively working with government agencies, researchers, and conservation groups to support the protection and recovery of black cockatoos. Our initiatives include:

  • Partnering with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA): Working together on land use planning, bushland protection, and community education to conserve black cockatoo habitat.
  • Installing Cocky Troughs: These automated bird watering units provide a consistent and clean water source for black cockatoos, helping to support their health and survival—especially during hotter months.
  • Revegetation for Food and Habitat: We are undertaking targeted revegetation projects in key bushland reserves, prioritising native food plants such as Banksias and Hakeas that support black cockatoo foraging needs.
  • Habitat Restoration and Urban Bushland Management: Through weed control, native planting, and nest hollow protection, we’re improving the quality of urban habitats where black cockatoos live and feed.
  • Supporting Conservation Research: We collaborate with local experts and research institutions to better understand black cockatoo behaviour, threats, and conservation strategies.

How You Can Help

  • Create a Cockatoo-Friendly Garden: Visit BirdLife WA’s website to learn how to attract and support black cockatoos in your garden.
  • Report Injured or Sick Birds: Contact the Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre if you see a black cockatoo in distress.
  • Support Local Habitat Protection Projects: Participate in local planting days or volunteer programs hosted by community conservation groups and the City.

By working together, we can help secure a future for black cockatoos in the City of South Perth and beyond.

Helpful Resources