Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Glossy Black Cockatoos


Yesterday, I took the mountain bike out along one of the trails behind our house. Just after entering the national park, there is a small section of rain forest with casuarina trees dotted about.

I was very excited to see three Glossy Black Cockatoos. These birds, whilst not on endangered lists, are regarded as rare as the sightings must be reported to the National Parks and Wildlife service.

They are an interesting bird, feeding on casuarina, and if so are easily approached. Should they fly off, the do so with low swooping action, and a distinct "Caw" Caw" cry. They generally only fly to an adjacent tree. A splash of distinct red on their tale feathers. Also help with the identification.

I was delighted to see three as it indicated that one was a juvenile. Glossy Blacks are rare as the nest in hollows of trees. Sadly our domestic honey bee also like these hollows. generally moving in and stinging the young when they hatch. As the parents only lay one of two eggs, the failure rate can be very high indeed. Not only this but other pressures. Research was done in South Australia and when the Honey bees were removed from an area, the Glossy Black population increased.

These are one of my favorite birds.

13 comments:

  1. It turned out to be a very special bike ride then simon. I still remember the day I saw some endangered blue duck in a stream in the Ruahine ranges.

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  2. yes- these are what I call "moments" :o)

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  3. Have you ever seen an endangered Glossy White Maalie?

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  4. Exciting sight Simon! I hope the three survive and keep multiplying, especially in your local area!

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  5. Hey mate, that's a good sighting. It was the Yellow-tailed we saw on my visits, wasn't it?

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  6. You certainly wouldn't see any of those in my Fenland landscape. What a great treat you had.

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  7. Well, everybody- it was very exciting-

    Yellow tails are what we saw Maalie. Similar (sort of).

    :o)

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  8. Hi!

    Lovely bird. Look like a painting!

    regards,
    /T/.

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  9. We have Kevin Rudd over here today Simon telling us how he wants to make Australia a republic. How do you feel about that?

    http://canadianpress.google.com/article/ALeqM5jD4TyimJPbavRKiYU39b107C_QFw

    Shall we send him up to see Maalie?

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  10. Republic?- No thanks. I like the westminster System, I like the Queen and the history of it all. and of course I have English roots...

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  11. Have you seen THIS site Simon?
    http://redtail.com.au/ You should record your sighting there!

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  12. That is in the the 2008 Annual Cocky Count on the 3rd of May 2008 :)

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