Current Conservation Work

Understanding Habitat Use and Seasonal Foraging Patterns of Black Cockatoos in the Southern Jarrah Forest

Across the Southern Jarrah Forest of Western Australia, three species of black cockatoos – Baudin’s, Carnaby’s, and Forest Red-tailed – face increasing pressure from habitat loss, a changing climate, and landscape disturbance. While significant research has been done on the iconic Carnaby's cockatoos across the Perth and Wheatbelt regions, there remains a major knowledge gap in the southern forest regions, particularly around the lesser studied Forest Red-tailed and Baudin's cockatoos.

My current research project aims to change that.

Project Overview

Using Autonomous Recording Units (ARUs) strategically deployed across a range of different target vegetation communities, I am conducting a long-term acoustic study to determine which habitats black cockatoos rely on at various times of the year, and why. This includes identifying the understory plant communities, and seasonal patterns that drive their habitat use across the forest.

I am:

  • Monitoring species presence and activity patterns
  • Identifying overlooked priority vegetation communities that provide disproportionately high levels of forage value at particular times of the year
  • Documenting seasonal variation in habitat use to understand how availability of key food sources changes over time
  • Identifying environmental threats such as feral pigs, fire, and seed harvesting to vulnerable and overlooked priority habitat
  • Building data to inform real-world conservation, habitat restoration, and land-use planning

Why This Matters

While all three species of black cockatoo in the southwest are threatened, Baudin’s Cockatoo is the most endangered and yet it is the least understood. Many experts fear it could go extinct within a decade without urgent action.

Despite this, large areas of potential habitat in the Southern Jarrah Forest remain understudied – and without a clear picture of the cockatoos' needs and movements across this region, critical ecosystems are currently being overlooked and degraded through inaction and mismanagement.

This project aims to change that by delivering concrete data on where and when these species are using the landscape, and why.

Community and Conservation Impact

This is a grassroots project led by myself, a field ecologist and naturalist with deep ties to the region and a proven record of conservation outcomes, including:

  • Mapping cockatoo nest and roost sites across the Southern Jarrah Forest
  • Mapping and monitoring quokka refuges and other threatened fauna
  • Discovering new populations of a variety of threatened and priority flora
  • Building awareness and connection in the public through community education and involvement

By better understanding the movement and specific habitat preferences of black cockatoos across this region, we can influence policy, restoration efforts, and fire planning – ensuring that their most valuable habitats are recognised and protected.

Help Me Continue this Work

This research is entirely self-funded and independent. Every ARU, every day in the field, and every data analysis hour is powered by dedication, not salary, and the generous support of the many people who have donated funds, equipment, assistance, or just kind words of encouragement to get this project up and running.

If you’d like to support this work directly, you can DONATE via the GoFundMe link here.

Your contribution helps fund equipment, field time, data processing, and outreach efforts – all working toward a future where black cockatoos continue to soar over the Jarrah Forest.