Calyptorhynchus latirostris
Also known as the Short-billed Black-Cockatoo, these birds are very similar to the Long-billed Black-Cockatoo, which is also a Western Australian endemic. As their names suggest, the two species are partly distinguished by the shape of their bills.
Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo is found only in the south-west of WA. Within this area the species has suffered a range reduction of at least 50% since the 1970s.
Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo's feed in eucalypt woodlands and kwongan heaths, mainly eating the seeds of banksias, hakeas, grevilleas and eucalypts. Nesting occurs in hollows of Salmon Gum Eucalyptus salmonophloia and Wandoo E. wandoo.
Over the last 50 years most of the feeding habitat of Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo has been destroyed by agricultural clearing. Any suitable habitat that remains is fragmented, and often degraded by soil salinity and weed invasion. Feeding habitat is often so far away from nests that the growth rate and survival of nestlings is significantly reduced.
Breeding habitat has also been destroyed by the loss of old, hollow-bearing trees. Additional pressures on the species include the theft of eggs from nests to supply illegal export markets.
According to the Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000, Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo is endangered.
For more information visit the Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo Recovery Project page.
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