Karak! - Protecting the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo

Introduction

The South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, one of five subspecies of the widespread Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo, is classified as endangered and is also the mascot for the 2006 Commonwealth Games being held in Melbourne in March 2006.

Also known as the ‘Karak’ after its distinctive call, the Red-tailed-Black Cockatoo is uniquely Australian with a sociable nature making it the perfect mascot for the Games.

The total number of birds is about 1000, living in south-western Victoria and south-eastern South Australia.

There is a huge amount of work being done to improve the plight of this endangered bird. The environmental groups and Government agencies listed below are all involved in protecting the bird. Visit the related links to find out more about what various organisations are doing to protect the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo.

Fact Sheet - About the Species

Fact Sheet - About the Species [PDF File - 163.6 KB]

Threats

The main threat to the survival of the South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is the destruction of its nesting trees and of its food sources – the cockatoo relies totally on the tiny seeds of Brown Stringybark, Desert Stringybark and, in the northern half of its range, seeds of Buloke in late summer and autumn.

Recovery Plans and Actions

DEPI is working with Local Government and other groups to protect and improve the habitat of the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo.

A draft National Recovery Plan for the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo guides actions being taken by various groups to protect the species and DEPI has an active role in the development and implementation of the National Recovery Plan.

The National Recovery Plan for the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo aims to demonstrate within 5 years a reversal of recent population decline.

The National Recovery Plan for the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo provides guidance on:

Maintaining existing feeding habitat
Increasing seed production of habitat
Maintaining availability of nest habitat
Establishing new feeding habitat
Minimising impact of nest predators
Increasing awareness and involvement in the community for protecting the species
Establishing long term support plans for the South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo

The draft National Recovery Plan for the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo will be available on the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage website in October 2005.

DEPI is helping to protect Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo through:

Improved management of public land under direct DEPI management (principally State Forest)
Investment in community programs to protect, enhance and restore Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo habitat
Input to the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo National Recovery Team

Fact Sheet on actions being taken by DEPI to protect the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo.

Fact Sheet - Actions to Save the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo [PDF File - 62.2 KB]

FAQs

What is the situation for the species on the national level?

The Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is listed as ‘endangered’ under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. A National Recovery Plan is being prepared by the Recovery Team.

How much money is the government spending to protect and prevent Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo habitat loss?

Funding is not necessarily the solution for this species, protection of habitat is the number one priority.
There are about 20 environmental agencies in Victoria involved in conserving the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo.
Conservation of the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is a priority for the Government’s threatened species program and the national recovery program has been in place for about eight years.

How many Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos remain, where do they exist?

The South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is one of 5 subspecies of the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo. It occurs as a single population in far south-western Victoria and adjacent parts of South Australia. The total population is estimated to be about 1000 including 600-700 breeding birds.

Buloke habitat – how much exists, where does it exist, why is it important?

Buloke provides an important food supplement for the population during late summer. Buloke seed is only available from January to March as the cones ripen and open. Cockatoos show a clear preference for larger and older trees when feeding. These larger trees are usually at least 100 years old.
Buloke grows on prime agricultural soils and more than 97% of the Buloke Grassy Woodland vegetation community has been cleared. Nearly all remaining Buloke occurs on freehold land and no significant stands are reserved. Most remaining Buloke occurs as scattered paddock trees where cultivation or grazing prevent regeneration, or as narrow stands along roadsides. Many of the roadside stands are regenerating and too young to produce large amounts of seed.

What is the distribution of buloke and stingy bark? Do they occur in the same or separate areas?

The stringybark forests, which comprise both Brown Stringybark and Desert Stringybark, occur on sandy soils across much of far south-west Victoria. Buloke occurs on heavier soils in the northern parts of the cockatoo’s range.

How dependent are the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo on bulokes as opposed to stringybarks?

Both stringybark and Buloke are essential to the survival of the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo. Stringybark seed is the staple for most of the year but during late summer and autumn availability of stringybark seed is low because most seed capsules have shed their seed and it is lost on the ground to ants etc. At this time of year Buloke cones which are ripening and opening, provide an important dietary supplement.

If there were no Bulokes left in Victoria at all, would the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo survive on the available stringybarks?

No, the population of Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is limited by food availability. Buloke seed may have an important role in population demography, for example, by enhancing juvenile survival in years with high Buloke seed production.

Is what we are doing to protect the species working? What evidence do we have?

Current data suggests a continuing decline in the species. Since 1998 the proportion of adult males in autumn flocks has increased from 38% to 44%, suggesting that recruitment is not sufficient to ensure replacement of aging birds.

What exactly will it take to improve the plight of the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo in Victoria?

Full implementation of the National Recovery Plan.
A halt in the decline of feeding habitat [stringybark and Buloke].
Protection of remnant Bulokes and active regeneration of Bulokes across the west Wimmera.
Protection of mature gums and standing dead trees with hollows throughout the range.
Continuing application of the revised fire regimes to maximise seed production and seed retention in stringybark forests.