Glossy Blacks: where to now?
Part of the
Atlas Fire Recovery Project
2020
There is grave concern for the future of this species in our region. Glossy Black-cockatoos (Calyptorhynchus lathami) are highly specialised feeders, reliant upon mature, fruiting Allocasuarina litoralis. Many of their food trees have been lost and will take years to recover. Unlike some species, they cannot sustain long distance travel in search of food – they can’t afford the time, as they need many hours each day to extract sufficient seeds from the cones.
Glossies have been seen since the fires, in unburned areas and also flying over burnt forest. So some have survived, so far.
Conservation of the species relies upon good mapping information. Where have they moved to? What stands of trees are sustaining them?
Please report all sightings of Glossy Black Cockatoos. This information will assist national parks threatened species officers and other land managers in developing conservation strategies for these iconic birds.
We launched the Mapping Glossy Blacks project in 2018. It is an ongoing, long-term , collaborative project. Please help.
Is the information made public?
In NatureMapr, species flagged as ‘sensitive’ have the precise location details hidden from public view. Glossy Black-cockatoos are one of these species. This is to protect the birds from unwarranted attention or interference. The data is stored and accessible by authorised personnel such as national parks staff.
Here’s how to record your sightings to NatureMapr using the App. This is great for uploading photos taken on a phone. Alternatively, you can upload via a web browser - here’s a step-by-step guide.
