Created by Michael Fendley, Threatened Bird Network

© Jeff Davies

For video footage of RTBC go to www.redtail.com.au

Lecturer Notes
1. Kit Objectives:

(1) To encourage investigation of a threatened species, its status, biology and conservation
(2) To introduce and involve students in the recovery-plan process
(3) To apply students’ theoretical knowledge to practical conservation problems

2 . Why the RTBC?:

(1) Recovery Plan in progress
(2) Exciting blend of existing knowledge and on-going investigation
(3) Excellent cross-section of issues addressed by Recovery Plan
(4) Species is large, spectatcular and its behaviour and requirements are tangible
(5) Excellent introduction to the conservation problems of the highly-threatened woodland environment

3. Learning Approach: Enquiry method; process orientation

4. Kit Structure: 3 X sections designed to mimic the recovery-plan process:

(1) determination of species status,
(2) investigation of biology and requirements, and
(3) examination of threats and implementation of recovery actions.
The three sections are linked to allow for a continuous sequence of enquiry, but they are also sufficiently autonomous to allow treatment separately, if desired.
A fourth section, ‘Extension’, is included to supply stimulus materials on the wide range of issues touched upon by the RTBC Recovery Program.

5. Year Level: Tertiary (undergraduate) and senior secondary

6. Applicable Courses: Environmental Studies, Resource/Conservation/Land/Wildlife Management, Environmental Science, Geography, Biology, Botany, Zoology, Applied Science

7. Duration: Sections could be completed in 1-3 weeks; the whole unit in 6-10 weeks.

Distribution
Distribution of the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo by Subspecies (Parks and Wildlife Commission 1997)

Acknowledgements
The author acknowledges the generous assistance of all who contributed information for the kit and are cited herein. Particular thanks is extended to Kate Gorringe-Smith for the use of her RTBC artwork, Nicholas Birks for the use of his RTBC photograph, Wayne Caldow for giving up time and sharing his local knowledge, HANZAB and Jeff Davies for access to their reference list and use of the RTBC plate, and to the RTBC Recovery Team and project officers, Richard Hill and Tim Burnard, for use of their photos and information.

Information, inferences and comments presented in the kit are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Recovery Team, Birds Australia, Environment Australia or the Natural Heritage Trust.

© Copyright M Fendley/Birds Australia/Environment Australia.

CONTENTS

1. Conservation Status
1.1 Population
1.2 Range
1.3 Decline
1.4 Categorising using IUCN criteria

2. Biology
2.1 Breeding
2.2 Foraging

3. Conservation: Threats and Recovery Actions
3.1. Firewood

3.1.1 Reducing Demand
3.1.2 Alternative Supplies
3.1.3 Applying Controls and Restrictions

3.2 Senescence
3.3 Appearance
3.4 Agricultural Intensification
3.5 Fire

3.5.1 Introduction
3.5.2 Stringybark Fruit: Homogenous or Heterogeneous Resource?
3.5.3 Fire Plan Resources

(2.1) RTBC Poster
(3.1) Firewood Res. Materials
(3.4) Agricultural Intensification - Personal Profile (AUDIO)
(3.4) “ “ - Res. Materials
(3.5) ‘Fire is for the Birds?’- article
(3.5) Fire Plan Base Map

4. Extension
E.1 Vol. Opportunities (including field work)
E.2 Environmental Economics
E.3 Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000
E.4 Threatened Birds of the World
E.5 Wildlife Harvesting
E.6 Nest Boxes
E.7 Contacts/Links
E.8 References
E.9 Poem


Figures
1. Ballarat School of Mines Students Preparing for Population Survey
2. Present Range RTBC
3. Past Distribution RTBC and Stringybark
4. Present Distribution RTBC and Stringybark
5. Simplified IUCN Conservation Status Criteria
6. Typical Breeding Habitat
7. Calibrating the “Peeperscope”
8. RTBC Food Species
9. RTBC Population Survey - March 1997
10. Buloke
11. Typical Stringybark Habitat
12. “Tidying Up”
13. Agricultural Intensification/Mechanisation
14. Proposed Phenology Brown Stringybark
15. Fire Plan - Base Map
16. Fire Manager
17. Wayne Caldow and Family
18. Caldow’s Farm
19. Caldow’s Friesian Bulls
20. Edenhope 1998
21. Goroke 1998

Tables
1. Population Surveys
2. Breeding Success