Cockatoo Christmas Cracker Jokes

Just because its Christmas, here are some really bad cockatoo related jokes...

Q. Why did the cockatoo perch on the clock?
A. Because she wanted to be on time
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Q. What do you call a parrot who is caught in the rain but has an umbrella?
A. Pollyunsaturated
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Q. What's orange and sounds like a parrot?
A. A carrot.
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Q: What do you call a parrot that flew away?
A: A polygon
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Three Carnaby's cockatoos are preening themselves energetically in a large cage - one at the top, one in the middle, and one at the bottom. Which cockatoo owns the cage?

Answer: The cockatoo at the bottom owns the cage, because the other 2 cockatoos are on higher perches!
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Two Carnaby's cockatoos sitting on a perch. One says to the other - "Something smells fishy"
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A cockatoo waddles into a chemist and buys some lipstick. The clerk says 'Will that be cash or credit?"
The cockatoo says ' Just put it on by bill!'
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Polynesia: Memory loss in parrots
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I hope you are smiling even if there were groans exclaimed at some of those.

Merry Christmas everyone!

Banksia woodland

Banksia woodland is really important for Carnaby's cockatoos. The banksias, hakeas and other plants that make up the woodland provide nectar, seeds and grubs that are eaten by the cockatoos throughout the year.

The Banksia Woodlands of Perth's Swan Coastal Plain have recently been nominated as a Threatened Ecological Community under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.

Watch this video to learn more about them. The video was put together by the Urban Bushland Council.

Masters of the cockatoo universe

The cockatoos are busy raising chicks and have left me in peace in Perth to get acquainted with the tracking data and literature. There are lots of computer hours ahead of me now. It is all part of the PhD journey but I do envy those who have completed...

Two cockatoo researchers that recently completed their masters projects on cockatoos are:

Teagan Johnston - Food resource availability for Carnaby's cockatoo on the Swan Coastal Plain.

Christina Zdenek - Non-invasive techniques for identifying individual palm cockatoos.

Coomallo nest monitoring

I have spent the last week involved in monitoring Carnaby's cockatoo nest hollows at Coomallo north of Perth. The site is an important breeding area and has been studied since the 1960s. It was fantastic to be involved in such a long running study and to spend time with those involved who have such an intimate knowledge of the species. Discussions in the field and over a well earned drink and meal at the end of each day were always productive 'food for thought' and well timed for me at the end of the data collection phase of my project.

Carnaby's cockatoo chick about to be measured and leg banded

My main task was to determine if any hen flushed from its nest was banded and if so to photograph them. With the right camera gear and some patience it is possible to capture images that enable the numbers on the band to be read and the individual to be identified. An example is in the photo below.

Female "01790"

Every band is exciting because normally a 'band return' is only achieved when an individual is found dead. Most were banded as chicks so we know where they came from and how old they are too. The female in the photo is over 20 years old and returns to the same or nearby hollow each year to breed.

I didn't spot any of my study birds during the trip though. Maybe next time?

Lucky last

Purple F's tracking device sent it's last message to the Argos satellites yesterday. She is the last of my study birds fitted with tracking devices. It is now time for me to analyse the data and write up the results. Where do I start?!

Nice day to go flying

The weather was lovely yesterday. Sunny, not too hot, not too cold and only a few showers about. Purple F certainly thought it was perfect weather to go flying. She flew about 70km from night roost to night roost!

Ewww yuck!

Here's my favourite cockatoo pic at the moment. She really looks like she doesn't like the taste of marri seeds...tongue poking out, screwed up eye and holding the food away as though she can't stand being near it.

She is a very unusually marked young cockatoo too. Very prominent pale fringing to the feathers on her chest and very bold black stripes on her tail feathers. Quite an individual with personality.

Pink L sighted again

I was excited to spot Pink L grubbing in a jarrah tree with Blue G's flock today. It was good to see her looking happy, healthy and reintegrating into a wild flock. She has been out and about for almost  five months now. The battery of her tracking device failed at the beginning of May so I haven't been able to check on her for a while now. Her tail colour is very faded but you can still see the aerial from her tracking device.

A Tale of Two Cockatoos

Here is an animated video about Carnaby's and Baudin's cockatoos. It was devised by Gill Ainsworth, a PhD candidate who explored how the two species of cockatoo are valued differently by Australian society and why Carnaby's receives far more attention than Baudin's. Both species require urgent conservation efforts so the video is another way to help raise awareness of their plight.


To find out more about the video and Gill's research please visit A Tale of Two Cockatoos.

R and E, sitting in a tree

I spotted Green R and Green E perched together yesterday in a jarrah tree in Cloverdale. I photographed them whilst they were preening and reorganising their feathers after being drenched from the rain. They were with a flock of over 150 that flew from Bentley through Victoria Park and back following Tonkin and Leach Hwy.

Green T getting around

On Friday I was excited to spot Green T whilst I was following Green E's flock in Bayswater. He had travelled that day from Carine to meet up with Green E who had travelled from Bentley. These cockatoos can definitely get around!

They were feeding on liquid amber seeds near Eric Singleton Bird Sanctuary before they drank from a nearby stream. They like to drink just before flying to roost for the night. Usually they drink quite close to where they will roost but Green E and Green T flew all the way to Bentley which is almost 9km away 'as the cockatoo flies'. It took me over 30 minutes to drive what took them only a few minutes to fly - peak hour traffic and a river to cross via bridge doesn't help me to keep up at all!

The few minutes before sunset is magic for photographing Carnaby's cockatoos. They can be a tricky contrasty subject with their dark feathers and white cheeks and tail panels. In this portrait of Green T you can even see that he has brown eyes. He still has a light coloured bill but his eye ring is starting to turn pink so he is getting close to maturity. His tracking device has lasted an amazing 80 days so far which is double the expected battery life. Go Green T!

Release pics

Here are a few photos of the release yesterday evening at Collier Park Golf Course. We released seven rehabilitated Carnaby's cockatoos. We opened the doors of the pet packs when we heard the wild flock arriving to drink at the golf course lake. Six of them flew out of the pet packs and landed in a pine tree together further down the fairway in the direction of the lake. Purple F took a bit of encouragement to come out of her pet back but she too eventually joined the other six.

I counted 244 birds as they flew from the golf course to their night roost. Hopefully they'll welcome the newest additions to their flock and take them to the best seasonal feeding spots this morning.

Three have satellite tracking devices attached so I'll be able to follow them more closely and hopefully spot other colourful tailed study birds at the same time.

The pet packs are lined up getting ready to open the doors

 

Fly, be free

 

Newest study birds

These are my newest study birds. They almost look like The Brady Bunch especially with Purple S looking up at the bottom. They were released this evening at Collier Park Golf Course.

Can you see Blue Z's recently polished halo above her head? She's trying to look very innocent. She chewed her tracking device in the aviary before release so it doesn't work anymore! Naughty Blue Z.

Shower time

On Tuesday morning this week I saw a behaviour that I haven't seen the cockatoos do before. They were 'crash' landing repeatedly into the foliage of a Eucalypt tree and hanging upside down flapping their wings. They were getting absolutely drenched by the wet foliage but I think that was their intention. They were using the water from the leaves to bathe!

Map of Greenies movements

The last time I posted an update map of the movements of my study birds they were mostly south of the river. The tracking devices on those birds have now stopped due to end of battery life. My current study birds have green tails and are almost entirely flying around north of the river.

The map below clearly shows clusters of location fixes around the major night roosts at Bentley, Hollywood hospital, Perry Lakes and also Ballajura. There is a lot of foraging activity around Bayswater and Mt Lawley areas.

Green P is doing his own thing and exploring.

Movements of 'Greenies' over the last 10 days

Comments on draft national recovery plan

Have your say on how to help save Carnaby's cockatoo. Read the draft national recovery plan available at the Commonwealth Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities Recovery Plans webpage and send in your comments before 10 June 2013.

Perched on the brink

Here's a photo I took and entered into the University of Western Australia's School of Animal Biology postgraduate photo competition. It was awarded the runner-up prize.

It was taken whilst following Pink Ts flock as they drank from urns around graves in Karrakatta Cemetery before roosting nearby.

I think its quite thought provoking. He's looking right at you saying - 'Well, how about it? Are you going to help save me?

Perched on the brink

A boyfriend for Green R?

After my last post I thought some good news would be nice. Yesterday evening Green R was spotted being preened by an adult male which is a social interaction that requires acceptance into a flock and trust. Carnaby's cockatoos pair for life and allopreening behaviour is also associated with forming and maintaining pair bonds. Seeing Green R involved in this behaviour is a great sign that she is doing well back in the wild.

I am hoping to show through my study that rehabilitated birds can not only survive and reintegrate back into wild flocks but that they also breed and contribute to the survival of the species. Hopefully I will get to see Green R with her male friend again.

Pink D shot in Pickering Brook

I found Pink D dead in Pickering Brook yesterday afternoon. She is being examined by the vets at Perth Zoo today but she was definitely shot.

It makes me so angry. I think it is such as shame that people appear to still be shooting these endangered birds in an effort to protect their orchards. I will pay extra for 'cockatoo friendly' apples if it means the apple orchards are netted instead!



Meet the Greenies

Green P

We fitted tracking devices to three new study birds today. Amongst them is an adult male and an adult female. The mature birds have generally been the ones in the past to fly long distances. We'll soon find out how well they know their geography and how keen they are to go 'home'.

Green P has beautiful strong tail feathers. He is a mature male based on his dark bill and pink eye ring




Green T is a very vocal young male. I still have all my fingers intact after catching him - only just! Usually it is the females that screech.

Green E flies very well. She is a mature female based on her light coloured bill and bright cheek patch.



Green E



Other News.... Blue L was found yesterday near Mandurah after he crashed into a window. He was taken to a local vet and the leg band alerted the vet that he was special. He is currently being cared for at Perth Zoo. Lets hope he is okay. His tracking device gave its last reading from Canning Vale back in September.

Table manners

Here's a couple of pics I quite like. They are of some flock mates of Pink D in Canning Vale.

Who says birds don't have table manners...

Well, maybe they don't. Standing on the 'table' usually isn't considered good manners at least for humans anyway.

Update on pink tails

I haven't given an update on where my study birds are recently so thought I'd show you a quick map of the last 4 days. Pink T is reliably staying in Nedlands and Dalkeith. The others are moving around  a bit and never quite meeting up despite crossing paths. The labelled big squares indicate where they roosted last night.

Plant labels launch

Today I went to the launch of the "Choose for Black Cockatoos" plant label at Zanthorrea Nursery. The labels are being used to promote a selection of locally native species that are used for food by Carnaby's cockatoo that are also perfect for planting in home gardens. 

Tam Kabat (Birdlife Australia) and Louise Hopper (Kaarakin) with Chasey at the
launch

If you'd like to know more about what plants are used by the cockatoos visit the Plants for Carnaby's Search Tool.

Pink T and friends

Pink T has settled into life with a flock that roosts each night in the vicinity of Hollywood Hospital. He has been noticed feasting on liquid amber and drinking from bird baths in Nedlands. He has even visited Parliament House (well, the pines trees in the gardens at least)

There are four wild birds with distinctive markings on their tails that I have seen him with on several occasions now.

Here are some pics of Pink T's friends.



2013 Great Cocky Count Volunteer Request

Every April, the Great Cocky Count (GCC) counts as many Carnaby’s Cockatoos as possible across WA on a single night. This year, the GCC is on Sunday 7 April. It’s a very easy survey, simply counting all cockatoos flying into their night-time roosting trees at a specific place. It only takes an hour, starting half an hour before sunset. Get more information and register as a volunteer at www.birdlife.org.au/carnabys/great-cocky-count.

Who knows you might be lucky enough to spot one of my study birds.

 

Pink L in Balga

A big thank you to K of Balga who yesterday kindly allowed me into her backyard for a better view of where Pink L was feeding on pine and even introduced me to her neighbour to access their backyard too.

K contacted me this evening with details of her own sightings of Pink L visiting her street this afternoon complete with photos. Fantastic.

Pink L (Photo by K)

Tracking update

Pink D and Z are still together. They travelled to the Forrestdale Lake area.

Pink T has been enjoying feasting on the pines at Hyde Park but today he visited Nedlands and Dalkeith with more than 50 friends.

I followed Pink L yesterday. She seems to like visiting primary schools after roosting twice at Glendale Primary School and resting during the heat of the day at Westminster Primary School. Maybe she knows the importance of a good education? She and her 8 'class mates' would like to object to the attention of the school bully ravens though.

Unfortunately Pink K's tracking device has stopped giving fixes. It would be great to get a sighting of her to make sure she is ok. From the little bit of movement data she gave us, the vicinity of Hollywood Hospital and also Hyde Park are probably the best chances of spotting her at the moment. If anyone can help look for her please do.

An afternoon with Pink D and Z

I followed Pink D and Pink Z this afternoon. They seem to be best buddies. We initially tracked them down to a backyard in Applecross where they were resting and trying to stay cool. They had found some dense shade by a swimming pool. Not a bad spot. I'd would have liked a dip in the  pool at the time as it was quite hot.

They flew off and we next found them feasting in a liquid amber tree. They continued to eat for over an hour before flying away to roost.

The tracking devices from the other birds indicated that two spent quite a bit of time near Hyde Park before roosting around Hollywood Hospital. The remaining pink tail is in the vicinity of Trigg.

Release at Perry Lakes

This evening we released the five study birds featured in my previous post. They were last seen flying off together to the ESE around 7pm after spending well over an hour sitting in the two trees they landed in after being released.  They flew off in the direction of calls from another flock in the distance.

Three roosted for the night in the vicinity of Hollywood Hospital, one closer to the Swan River and the last near Bold Park.

These birds are going to be followed intensively to see where they roost each night and to find out the size of the area around each roost they use for finding food.

With their pretty pink tails you can easily distinguish them from their wild flock mates. If you spot one please let me know.

Photo by Roger Groom

Photo by Roger Groom

Meet my new study birds

We fitted tracking devices to my next group of study birds at Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre today.

Here are portraits of each of my new study birds. You will see that they have all had their tail feathers coloured so they can be distinguished from their wild flock mates once released.

Pink D

Pink L

Pink K

Pink T

Pink Z

Spectacular flowering Marri

This year seems to be a particularly good one for flowering Marri trees (Corymbia calophylla). They are in full bloom in the hills at the moment. These are a few pics from Morangup this morning. Dryandra Rd in Morangup is a good place to go to see the rare pink flowering form.


The cockatoos are busy eating seeds from the green Marri nuts. I wonder if they think they are walking on a cloud with so much Marri blossom around them?

Reading about tracking Peregrine Falcons

I have just finished reading a book about radio-tracking Peregrine Falcons. The book is called "On the Wing: to the Edge of the Earth with the Peregrine Falcon" by Alan Tennant. The author has a webpage where you can find out more about his book.

I'm glad my cockatoos don't cross several country borders and that the data comes via satellite and doesn't require me to follow them in a light aircraft. I can definately relate to the sense of attachment to my study birds that is described in the book. It is something special to have a window into the life of a wild bird and try to understand its movements by what you see.

Bird spotting

I have encountered many other birds whilst I have been following flocks of Carnaby's cockatoo for my research. Some of them were kind enough to pause long enough for me to take their portraits. I thought you might like to see a selection.

Black faced cuckoo shrike

Pacific black duck

Little pied cormorant

Laughing turtle-dove

Pink and grey galah

Splendid fairy wren

New Holland honeyeater

Rainbow bee eater and chick

Forest red-tailed black cockatoo

Rainbow bee eater

Rainbow lorikeet

Rainbow bee eater chick

Scarlet robin

Yellow-billed spoonbill

Yellow rumped thornbill

Varied sitella

Wattlebird

Australian raven