Cameras capture new baby black cockatoo in Armadale nesting box

THE City of Armadale has recorded the rearing of a new baby forest red-tailed black cockatoo in one of their artificial nesting box.

The hatching was part of a program that aims to conserve WA’s three threatened species of black cockatoos.

The City monitors over 100 nesting boxes, some fitted with cameras to collect behavioural information, and it was through one of these cameras that the mother and baby were discovered.

It is the third known bird to successfully fledge from the City’s artificial nesting boxes.

City of Armadale Mayor Henry Zelones said population numbers were being threatened by loss of habitat through urban expansion, raven attacks and loss of breeding hollows.

He said the nesting boxes project was showing some promise in helping to give the birds somewhere to breed.

“Since 2016, the City has been installing nesting boxes to help conserve wildlife like possums, micro bats, phascogales and quendas in a number of local reserves including Armadale Settlers Common and Bungedore Park,” he said.

“Instead of having a manicured lawn in the yard, the public can help by planting native species that black cockatoos can feed on.

“We all have to do our part if we want to continue to see magnificent species like the black cockatoo around.”