In the past 12 months I have noticed only two or three Gang Gang's at the most, instead of the usual eight to 12 or more that usually hang around here seasonally. The ridiculous thing is many local residents have taken up the pastime of putting seed out for the raucous vandalisitic birds and thus encouraging more of them as word gets around where the free feeds are. It's nothing to see a flock of 20 or more Sulphur Crested Cockatoo's hanging around just after dawn, during the day and around sunset. I have noticed fewer Gang Gang Cockatoo's in my area in the Upper Blue Mountains and a huge increase in Sulphur Crested Cockatoo's. The Blue Mountains Bird Observer (BMBO) group has reported that the population of these birds has decreased by up to 70% in the past two decades and cites the huge increase of Sulphur Crested Cockatoo's as possibly the main culprit? Lewis wondering why our once abundant population of Gang Gang Cockatoo's is now on a seemingly rapid decline? And juveniles sit begging - constantly and loudly – making no apparent attempt to feed for themselves.An article has appeared in the Blue Mountains Gazette local newspaper dated Wed 29th July 2015 (Page-20) featuring an article by B.C. Feeding birds may be at any level in the vegetation, even at ground level. This apparently destructive behaviour is due to their determined searching for wood-boring grubs of moths or beetles.Ī feeding flock often involves some birds sitting high in the trees, calling an alarm if approached. They are also famous for tearing into the bark and branches of various trees, often dropping branches or snapping small saplings. For example, they take the woody fruit of Eucalyptus, Hakea, Banksia and a variety of introduced trees, including plantation pine trees. They feed in a wide variety of trees and may be found in woodland, parks, coastal heath or forest. In flight their long-tails, dark colour, and loud calls are distinctive. Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos may be seen flying in small or large flocks. Where to look for Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos Juveniles have colouration like female, but are best recognised by their continual, rasping begging calls.Adult male has red skin surrounding eye.Yellow cheek patch, larger and brighter in adult female than in the male.Pale yellow tail panels, variously mottled with black in both males and females.Large, slender bird with long tail and long wings.Some features to look for in recognising Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos the scattering of torn Allocasuarina fruit on the forest floor is quite diagnostic. Such feasting also leaves tell-tale evidence long after they've gone. In fact the squeaking and cracking of their feeding is often the first indication of their presence. Small groups will sit quietly, chewing on the fruit, sometimes remaining in the same tree for hours. Glossy Blacks feed almost exclusively on Allocasuarina fruit (often called 'she-oak cones'). Soft, wavering call in flight - again, very different to the Yellow-tailed black call.Short tail, clearly shorter than Yellow-tailed blacks when seen in flight.Females have variable amounts of yellow on the head and neck.Males have bright red panels in their tails, while females and juveniles have orange-red panels with varying amounts of black barring. considerably smaller than Yellow-tailed blacks. Some features to look for in recognising Glossy Black-Cockatoos
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |