Science and the future of WA

Abstract

The threats to their survival are common to much of Australia’s native fauna – clearing for urban development; removal of feeding (and roosting) habitat, in particular, mature marri, jarrah, salmon gum and other old, hollow-bearing eucalypts; and competition for remaining breeding hollows from galahs, corellas and feral honey bees. Adding to these pressures, eucalypt seedlings needed for woodland recovery are being trampled by stock, and the birds themselves can fall victim to farmers and poachers. Apart from these known causes of the cockatoos’ decline, much remains unknown and in urgent need of discovery.