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.