Distribution, status, social organisation, movements and conservation of Baudin's Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii) in South-west Western Australia

Abstract

Baudin's Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii) is a large, iconic, forest cockatoo, endemic to the south-west corner of Western Australia and currently listed as endangered. It has suffered a substantial decline in numbers in the past 50 years. Direct causes of population decline include large numbers shot by orchardists, fragmentation of habitat and the impact of hollow competitors. In this paper we provide details of distribution, status, habitat preferences, breeding, social organisation, migration and movements, roost sites and diet. We also include observations on the relationships between birds at two large autumn-winter roost sites, eight km apart in the Perth hills. The conservation of this cockatoo provides a challange for the future especially in reducing its major threats. We recommend future monitoring of major roosts in order to determine population trends and to measure progress in conservation efforts.