Carnaby’s Crusaders LTD
Ensuring Their Survival

Image Credit: Ellie Ecker

Black Cockatoo Conservation

Carnaby’s Crusaders LTD are a Registered Not For Profit Charity. We are an enterprise dedicated to supporting the recovery, breeding and preservation of habitat that supports Western Australia’s native Black Cockatoo species. Our goal is to ensure the survival and promote awareness around the required preservation of natural habitat in order to support our Native Black Cockatoo’s.

While we can boost numbers by providing Artificial Breeding Tubes on suitable sites, this is not a long-term solution to the viability of the species if we do not preserve and provide more natural feeding & breeding habitat for them.

Image Credit: Dean Arthurell

Image Credit: Brad Mitchell

About Us

Long before Carnaby’s Crusaders were established as a formal enterprise in 2021, the dream was being realized in partnership with small scale individual landholders & a desire to provide much needed Artificial Breeding Hollows for our endangered Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo’s. Proud members of Chittering Wildlife Carers since moving to the area in 2014, we were always working towards a way of contributing to the cause.

A collaboration between sponsors Tronox and Chittering Wildlife Carer Fred Hoogland, saw the basic production of Artificial Hollows as a source of income for the group take shape. We were passed the fabrication banner in 2020 and continue to support Chittering Wildlife Carers with the production & Installation of Artificial Cockatoo Tubes, while also producing several designs for dedicated landholders willing to purchase and host on suitable private land holdings around the state. 2021 saw some spectacular results with dozens of our Carnaby’s Crusaders Artificial Cockatoo Tubes producing Carnaby’s Fledglings. 2022 continued to build showing a great increase in breeding attempts.
Artificial Breeding Tubes have been the resulting work of dedicated individuals like Wally Kerkhof, Denis Saunders, Ron Johnstone, Tony Kirby and Rick Dawson, along with the support of several organizations such as Moore Catchment Council, Chittering Landcare and Serpentine Jarrahdale Landcare. The results have been a lifeline to the species, and continue to support the recovery.

We always pay homage to the inventor of the Artificial Cockatoo Tube in Wally Kerkhof. His original design can still be seen throughout the streets and greater shire of Moora with over 100 hung from trees and poles. Wally’s invention has been the saving of the species thus far, with his Artificial Hollows fledging hundreds of Carnaby’s over the past 35 years.

Artificial Cockatoo Tubes

Over the past 200+ years mankind has left its mark on Western Australia, today only around 10% of the original habitat suitable for our Black Cockatoos still exists. Consequently, there is thought to be around 10% of the original population of the 3 species of Black Cockatoos left in Southern Western Australia. As the remaining suitable habitat dwindles and fractures, it becomes more difficult for each species to exist and retain population numbers. Large areas of habitat become smaller, and other areas of habitat become separated by more clearing, Black Cockatoo’s therefore face more hurdles to find breeding habitat within range of feeding habitat. The average Eucalyptus tree takes a minimum of 150 years to reach a size where a Natural Hollow can begin to form. Black Cockatoos require the largest of natural hollows further limiting their ability to breed.

Artificial Cockatoo Tubes are essentially a man-made vessel designed to mimic the internal hollow of a Eucalyptus tree. An Artificial Cockatoo Tube can be made from a variety of materials, each having different properties, therefore advantages and disadvantages with each design. There is however a design criterion that will enhance success, and reduce the use by competitor species. The Major design principle of an Artificial Cockatoo Tube is the open top entrance. Black cockatoos have evolved to tolerate the elements, the majority of natural hollows large enough to accommodate Black Cockatoo breeding, are upright and have large openings.

This tolerance of the elements has allowed Artificial Cockatoo Tube design to capitalize on this feature as few other competitor species are able to do the same. Black Cockatoo’s constantly face pressure from competition species such as Gallah’s, Corella’s, 28’s and feral bees. Despite their size, all these competitors will often use and take over the few remaining natural hollows suitable for Black Cockatoos. Artificial Cockatoo Tubes eliminate the majority of competition species by design, allowing Black Cockatoos access to a viable breeding site without intense competition.

Image Credit: Dean Arthurell

We offer several designs and materials that suit different applications dependent on habitat and other factors. Please see the FAQ’s and complete an EOI form if you are keen to install one of our Carnaby’s Crusaders Artificial Cockatoo Tubes. We will visit and appraise your property prior to any installation. We do not sell false hope, and will not install if we feel your location is not viable. We are motivated to support the successful breeding of the species, not the lining of our pockets.

Image Credit: Dean Arthurell

The Species & Breeding

Carnaby’s Cockatoo

Calyptorhynchus Latirostris

Image credit: WA Museum

Baudin’s Cockatoo

Calyptorhynchus Baudinii

Image credit: Brad Mitchell

Forest Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo

Calyptorhynchus Banksii Naso 

Image credit: Brad Mitchell

Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo

Calyptorhynchus banksii naso

Other names:
Red-tailed Black Cockatoo.
The south-western population naso (referring to its large bill) was named by John Gould in 1837. Known to the Noongar people as
‘Karrak’.

Threatened Status:
“Listed Vulnerable: Schedule 1 – Western Australian Wildlife
Conservation Act”.
“Vulnerable: under Federal Environmental Protection and
Biodiversity Conservation Act”.

It was formerly common, but is now rare to uncommon and patchily distributed over a range which has become markedly reduced. Usually in pairs or small flocks, seldom large flocks (up to 200). It has declined due to destruction of forests and woodlands, also competition for nest hollows with native and exotic species and the impact of fire. There are three subspecies of Red-tailed Black Cockatoo in Western Australia (see map). Only the south-western population naso is listed as Vulnerable.

Description:
Length 53–55 cm. Weight 600–610 g.
Adult male: glossy black except for bright orange-red band towards tip of tail, bill dark grey or blackish.

Female: glossy black, the head and wing coverts spotted with pale yellow; breast and belly barred

with orange-yellow; tail narrowly banded with orange-yellow (more orange) on undertail coverts; bill pale greyish white.

Juvenile and immature: similar to female except for less pale yellow spots on head, cheeks and wings, dull pale yellow bars on breast and belly, outer tail feathers brightly barred with red or orange red (little or no yellow) and bill dark grey or blackish.

Call:
Loud harsh cries “Karee”, “Karrak” or “Krar-raak” also “chet” sounds and harsh nasal wheezing. Male breeding call is a repeated
mechanical “waa-waa”.

Breeding:
Nesting in hollows of Marri, Jarrah, Wandoo, Karri and Bullich trees. Eggs laid on wood chips at the bottom of the hollow in March– December; clutch 1 (rarely 2). Incubation period 29–31 days and only the female incubates and broods the chick. Hatchlings covered in sparse yellow down.

Life span: 25–50 years.

Distribution:
This subspecies occurs in the humid and subhumid south-west; mainly in hilly interior, north to Gingin (formerly to Dandaragan) and east to Mt Helena (formerly to Toodyay), Christmas Tree Well, near Brookton, North Bannister (formerly to Wandering),

Mt Saddleback, Kojonup, Rocky Gully, upper King River and east to the Green Range. It is endemic to Western Australia.

Habitat and food: Eucalypt forests. Feeds on seeding Marri, Jarrah, Blackbutt, Karri, Sheoak and Snottygobble, also some ornamental eucalypts and
introduced Cape Lilac.

Threats to the species: Destruction of forests, fires in spring breeding season, feral European honeybees, the expansion of Australian Shelduck and Australian Wood Duck which takes over nest hollows, also vehicle strikes.

References:
Johnstone, R.E. and Storr, G.M. (1998) Handbook of Western Australian Birds. Volume 1 – Non-passerines (Emu to Dollarbird). Western Australian Museum pp. 278–280.

Johnstone, R.E. and Kirkby, T. (1999) Food of the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus banksii naso in south-west Western Australia West Aust. Nat. 22(3): 167–177

Images: Tony Kirkby Layout design: Kim Sarti

Image Credit: Brad Mitchell

Baudin’s Cockatoo

Calyptorhynchus baudinii

Other names:
Baudin’s Black Cockatoo and Long-billed Black Cockatoo.
Named in honour of French explorer Nicolas Baudin (1754–1803).

Threatened Status:
“Listed Endangered: Schedule 1 – Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act”.
“Endangered: under Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act”.

Scarce to moderately common (most numerous in deep southwest). Mainly in flocks (up to 300), occasionally larger aggregations (up to 1200) at roosts. It has declined in the last 50 years, its low rate of reproduction (0.6 chick per year) precluding it from replacing the large numbers shot by orchardists.

Description:
Length 50–60 cm. Weight 560–770 g.
Upper bill narrower and longer than Carnaby’s Cockatoo.
Adult male: mostly brownish black, the feathers edged with dusky white giving a scalloped appearance; ear coverts dusky white; white band towards tip of tail, broken in middle; bill black; bare skin around eye pink.

Female: like male but differs in having the ear coverts a brighter yellowish white; bill greyish with dark tip and eye skin grey.

Call:
A short “whicher whicher” and “bunyip bunyip” flock call. Breeding call a repeated low “arr” followed by a high-pitched whistle.

Breeding:
Nesting in hollows of Karri, Marri, Wandoo, Tuart and Bullich trees. Eggs laid in August-December; clutch 1–2 (only one young reared) and only the female incubates and broods the chick.

Life span: 25–50 years.

Distribution:
Occurs in south-western humid and subhumid zones, north to Gidgegannup, east to Clackline, Wandering, Quindanning, the Perup River, Lake Muir and King River, and west to eastern strip of Swan Coastal Plain including West Midland, Gosnells, Byford, North Dandalup, Yarloop, Wokalup and Bunbury also the Stirling and Porongurup Ranges and along the south coast to Waychinicup National Park. It is endemic to Western Australia.

Habitat and food:
Southern eucalypt forests of mainly Jarrah, Marri and Karri. Feeds on seeds of eucalypts, Banksia, Hakea and fruiting apples and pears. Also nectar, buds and flowers and strips bark from dead trees in search of beetle larvae. Forages at all levels from canopy to ground.

Threats to the species:
Clearing of forests, fires, vehicle strikes and feral European honey bees which take over nesting hollows. In the past large numbers were shot by orchardists; illegal shooting is still occurring.

References:
Johnstone, R.E. and Storr, G.M. (1998). Handbook of Western Australian Birds. Volume 1 – Non-passerines (Emu to Dollarbird). Western Australian Museum pp. 278–280.

Johnstone, R.E. and Kirkby, T. (2008). Distribution, status, social organisation, movements and conservation of Baudin’s Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii) in South-west Western Australia. Records of the Western Australian Museum 25: 107–118.

Image Credit: Brad Mitchell

Carnaby’s Cockatoo

Calyptorhynchus latirostris

Other names:
Carnaby’s Black Cockatoo and Short-billed Black Cockatoo.
Named in honour of oologist and naturalist Ivan Carnaby (1908– 1974).

Threatened Status:
“Listed Endangered: Schedule 1 – Western Australian Wildlife Conservation Act”.
“Endangered: under Federal Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act”.

It is uncommon to common in wetter parts of range, scarce and patchily distributed in driest parts of range. Usually in pairs or small flocks, occasionally large flocks or aggregations up to 5,000 in nonbreeding season especially at pine plantations. It has declined in the last 50 years due to habitat loss and destruction especially largescale clearing in much of the wheatbelt and Banksia and Tuart woodlands on the Swan Coastal Plain.

Description:
Length 53–58 cm. Weight 500–790 g.
Upper bill broader and shorter than Baudin’s Cockatoo.
Adult male: mostly brownish black, the feathers tipped with dusky white giving a scalloped appearance; ear coverts dusky white; white band towards tip of tail, broken in middle; bill black; bare skin around eye pink.

Female: like male but differs in having the ear coverts yellowish white; bill greyish white or grey with a black tip and eye skin grey.

Call:
A short “weeyou-weeyou” or “weeeloo-weeeloo” flock call.

Breeding:
Mainly in wheatbelt, in hollows of old smooth-barked eucalypts including Salmon Gum and Wandoo. Also Tuart, Flooded Gum and Karri as well as Bullich and Marri. Eggs laid on wood dust or chips at bottom of hollow from early July to December. Clutch 1–2 (usually only one young reared) and only the female incubates and broods the chick.

Life span: 25–50 years.

Distribution:
Occurs in south-west north to lower Murchison and east to Nabawa, Wilroy, Waddi Forest, Manmanning, Durokoppin, Lake Cronin and just east of Condingup. It is endemic to Western Australia.

Habitat and food:
Woodlands and scrubs of semiarid interior of Western Australia, in non-breeding season

wandering in flocks to coastal areas, especially pine plantations and Banksia woodlands. Food includes the flowers, nectar and seeds of Banksia, Dryandra, Hakea, Eucalyptus, Corymbia, Grevillea, also seeds of Pinus, fruiting nut trees especially almonds and macadamias, the flesh and juice of apples and persimmons and insect larvae.

Threats to the species:
Direct causes of population decline include land clearing and fragmentation of habitat (especially in wheatbelt), the loss of hollowbearing trees and impact of hollow competitors including Galah, corellas and feral European honey bee, also fires and vehicle strikes.

References:
Johnstone, R.E. and Storr, G.M. (1998). Handbook of Western Australian Birds. Volume 1 – Non-passerines (Emu to Dollarbird). Western Australian Museum pp. 276–280.

Johnstone, R., Kirkby, T., Stone, P., Minton, C. (2005). White-tailed Black-Cockatoos: Identification Challenges and Changes in Distribution and Status, and links with a Community Program – Cockatoo Care. In Gole, C. (Ed.). Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo Future Directions Symposium 2003. Birds Australia WA, Perth.

Landholders & Sponsorship

Image Credit: Ellie Ecker

Private Landholders have flocked to the private model of Black Cockatoo Conservation. Eliminating red tape and funding hurdles by fronting up with suitable habitat and funds to cover purchase & installation costs of Artificial Cockatoo Tubes. Further expanding this concept finds community members or groups without viable property, still able to contribute or sponsor suitable breeding sites by covering the cost of installing Artificial Cockatoo Tubes.

The private model of Black Cockatoo conservation is constantly evolving thanks to community engagement. The enchanting nature and intoxicating beauty of all 3 southwest Black Cockatoo species means the greater community is constantly engaging in new ways to support the cause. For private, corporate, community, shire, government, department and any other entity willing to engage in our cause, we will happily make time to discuss your ideas and needs.

We are now able to accept donations to support the research and the work that we do given our charity status. If you are willing to contribute with either funding or habitat, we will find you a partnership. This partnership will create another breeding site for our Black Cockatoos by ways of sponsoring or hosting an Artificial Cockatoo Tube. We offer a variety of installation options, along with monitoring and surveying services. We are skilled, licensed installers and have public liability insurance.

Education

The next generation will decide the fate of most things in the natural world. By awakening their support, awareness and efforts going forward, we can set the groundwork for our majestic Black Cockatoo’s to be delivered to them in a recovering state. We are keen to share our knowledge, deliver empowerment and recruit the next generation of Black Cockatoo researchers and supporters. We visit schools, groups, corporates, and any organization keen to learn and support the Black Cockatoo Conservation cause.

Along with sharing our knowledge, we at Carnaby’s Crusaders are on a constant quest to learn more about the species. We talk to all the experts and value their knowledge and expertise in all areas. We spend countless hours in the field observing natural behaviors, surveying breeding sites, adding Artificial Breeding Tubes, recording data and love every moment.

Image Credit: Kate Leaver

Planting for Black Cockatoo’s

Many people find themselves unable to contribute to the cause with suitable breeding habitat. There are other ways to contribute to supporting the recovery of these endemic species even without having acreage. Planting native trees and shrubs is of huge benefit to the population, however avoid planting any food source close to busy roads. Encourage your local council to use our beautiful native species of Banksia, Hakea, Bottlebrush, and Grevillea in open parklands and suitable areas. This will in turn provide more native browse to sustain current and future populations.

Get in touch

Frequently Asked Questions

No. While the Perth metropolitan area forms part of the Swan Coastal Plain and supports an urban population of black cockatoo’s, historically they do not breed on the Perth Coastal Plain and move into the hills and surrounding forests during breeding season. Car trauma is the number 1 killer of black Cockatoos in Western Australia and encouraging them to breed in the urban environment risks further deaths.

Site suitability is dictated by mother nature. If you have black Cockatoo activity during breeding season (June-December), suitable habitat & food resources, are away from busy roads and HWY’s we are happy to do an initial online assessment. If suitable progressing and installing an Artificial Cockatoo Tube on your property is still no guarantee that it will be successful.

With the variety of designs now available Artificial Cockatoo Tubes can be placed in a wider variety of trees heights and locations. Ideally a tree large enough to host a 5-8m installation height, but each site is different and each design requires different parameters depending on the environment and target species. Provided you have Black Cockatoo activity on your property/in your area during breeding season, its plausible to raise interest from Black Cockatoos. We sometimes suggest a pole mounted installation that negates the need for a substantial host tree. Pole mount options eliminate feral and natural ground-based predators also.

Water, a constant reliable water source. Black Cockatoo’s are generally very cautious when it comes to feeding and drinking at ground level. They are vulnerable to predators so use a Sentry system when feeding and drinking. They will almost always have a sentry on the lookout when the rest of the flock are drinking, the sentry is responsible for raising the alarm should danger present itself. A water source such as a stock trough along a fence line or a large bird bath in an open clearing will be attractive to most birdlife.

Pricing ranges between $450 – $600 Inc GST installed per Tube in most cases. This covers all styles and installation requirements as a general rule. We offer a reduced rate for larger scale private projects, and reserve the right to adjust pricing dependent on individual site, travel and project requirements.