Bird · GBIF taxon 10755463
Carnaby's Black Cockatoo
Zanda latirostrisAlso known as Short-Billed Black Cockatoo, Short-Billed White-Tailed Black Cockatoo
Carnaby's black cockatoos sweep across southwest Australia in noisy flocks, driven by seasonal migrations between interior breeding woodlands and coastal feeding grounds. Paired adults mate for life, returning each spring to deep hollows in ancient eucalypt trees to raise a single chick. Their mournful wy-lah flight calls resonate over heathlands as they forage for nutrient-rich seeds in native banksias and pine plantations.
EndemicVocal
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Banksia seeds
- Hakea seeds
- Pine cone seeds
Predators
- Wedge-Tailed Eagle
- Goanna
- Feral Cat
ThreatsClearing of breeding hollows, loss of feeding habitat, and poaching
HabitatsEucalypt woodlands, kwongan heathlands, and pine plantations
Life span40–50 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyCacatuidae
- SpeciesZanda latirostris
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Capable of delivering a strong bite with its powerful beak if cornered; observe from a respectful distance.
- What to notice
- Identified by black scalloped feathers, bold white cheek patches, and broad white tail bands.
- Support conservation
- Keep a respectful distance from nesting hollows and avoid disturbing feeding flocks in native vegetation.
Responsible observation
- Listen for Calls: Distinctive wailing wy-lah calls broadcast their arrival long before flocks come into view.
- Observe Feeding Flocks: Look for flocks in banksia woodlands or pine plantations stripping seed cones along branches.
- Maintain Nest Distance: Avoid approaching active hollow trees during the spring breeding season to prevent desertion.
Nesting Host (c) pimelea, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Ruth Clark, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Frankzed, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Co-Occurring Relative (c) Michael Schmid, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
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