Basic Birding: How to ID the Red Tailed Black Cockatoo

BIRDING BASICS:

How to ID The Red Tailed Black Cockatoo

Time spent spotting the endangered and endemic forest red-tailed black cockatoo qualifies as a legitimate late note in the Margaret River Region. Rare to sight, tricky to photograph but beautiful to chance upon, it takes commitment, awareness and a little bit of luck to engineer your own close encounter. These local tips should help you along.

WORDS | Sarina Kamini IMAGES | Sean Blocksidge & Tim Campbell WHERE TO SPOT THEM

Red-tailed black cockatoos favourite grub is the marri nut, which makes this a species inclined to forest dwelling. Jarrah, marri and karri forests are their most obvious stomping grounds. And while the keeneyed driver will be sure to spot at least a few small flocks on a road trip from the Margaret River township to Nannup - flanked as the road is by national park - even small tree groves closer to regional towns can be prime spotting zones.

The square of bush in the Margaret River town between Clarke Road, Boodjidup Road and Railway Terrace can prove a hot spot. A walk along the trail in the A-class reserve of Nguraren Kalleep just north of town is an opportunity for a red-tailed interaction. As is a walk through the Carters Road trails.

The bushland around Gracetown is a frequent red-tailed black cockatoo feeding and nesting ground too, and the forest trails around Rosabrook rarely disappoint bird enthusiasts.

Trails into bushland around the Augusta township are also favourite spotting zones for local birders: “I absolutely love them and seeing them in flock is one of the most stunning things,” says Augusta local, Carolyn Tenardi, who walks daily in the bush behind the Augusta football oval and BMX park, a bit of reserve where the rare species congregate to chatter and feed. “In spring that bushland is a mass of wild flowers. And every day I see Carnaby’s and forest redtails. They are treasures.”

HOW TO FIND THEM

Tune your ears. The cry of the forest redtailed black cockatoo is a distinctive, loud and harsh ‘karee’ or ‘kra-raak’. A little bit of familiarity with the call means you’ll hear a flock long before you see it. Early morning and early evening around watering holes in farm paddocks, or forest-bracketed waterways, are typical spots to hear a call.

And don’t just look up: using marri nuts to identify red-tailed feeding zones is easier than it might sound. Alongside the whitetailed Carnaby and Baudin’s black cockatoos, the south-west red-tails have a distinctive bite when munching their favourite meal - marri nuts that have been chewed out from the bottom indicate red-tailed feeding

territory. Carnaby and Baudin’s take a topdown approach.

TAIL FEATHER ID

Block red tail feathers indicate mature males. Females and juveniles have narrow bands of orange and yellow on the tail feathers; they also have pale yellow spots on the head and wings, and yellow-orange barring on the breast. Finding the showy tail feathers on forest tracks is a dream for red-tailed fanatics, but it’s a game of chance. Some people say red-tails drop their soughtafter feathers at roost sites. Others say they drop them at their watering holes.

KEEPING THEM SAFE

Recognised as a threatened species and listed as fauna ‘likely to become extinct’ in the wild under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950, protection of forest red-tailed black cockatoo habitat is key to reversing declining numbers.

Protection of vegetation to ensure continued nesting hollows and feeding zones is vital, but so is reduction in preventable death and injury from things like vehicle strike. It’s worth noting that seeding of spring and summer grasses often draws flocks to roadsides in the hotter months. Keep an eye out while travelling and slow speeds at sightings.

RED-TAILED VS WHITE-TAILED

You’ll find cockatoos everywhere in the south west. They make all kinds of beautiful sounds and their differences can be marked or subtle. One you realise these differences, you won’t stop noticing them.

Forest red-tailed black cockatoos are a different species with different habitat preferences to the two white-tailed black cockatoo species, the Carnaby and Baudin’s cockatoos. Notice the differences when you are observing birds in the wild.

SAY ‘CHEESE’

Getting the best red-tailed photographs is a subtle business. “It’s a game of patience,” says Sean Blocksidge, known cocky spotter and tour operator in chief at the Margaret River Discovery Co. “I’ve definitely been sitting under a tree for 20 minutes, at least, waiting for one to fly.”

The forest red-tailed black cockatoos are more reticent than Carnaby or Baudin’s cockatoos when it comes to posing, and spook more easily. Their preferred forest habitat can also make them hard to capture. But there are a few tricks.

“The canoe’s a ripper because they don’t seem to care if you’re drifting along on the canoe,” says Sean. “Or straight out of the car window. Don’t get out of the car.”

WORDS | Danielle Costley

Joyfully Nostalgic Beach Houses

Whether you are travelling on a budget or looking for somewhere more luxurious for your next getaway to the Margaret River Region, here is a list of some of our favourite beachside homes that will leave you with memories of sandy toes, salty chips, sunscreen, and endless sunsets.

LOW-COST – MID RANGE

Siesta Park Holiday Resort

This family-friendly beachfront resort offers cabins, villas and chalets, and is nestled between Busselton and Dunsborough. The kids will love the adventure playgrounds that includes a flying fox, Tarzan swing, tennis and basketball courts. There is also a private jetty for fishing and crabbing, and a boat ramp that’s suitable for crafts up to 5.5-metres. Prices start from $175pn Chandlers Smiths Beach Villas

These two-bedroom rammed earth seaside villas offer stunning panoramic views over the pristine Smith’s Beach, which is a mere 200m stroll away. Each villa is self-contained with a balcony. There are family-friendly grassed areas and BBQ facilities where you can unwind after exploring the nearby Cape to Cape track, Canal Rocks, or the Injidup Natural Spa. Prices start from $150pn The Break Margaret River Beach Houses

The Dunes Apartment at The Break Beach Houses, is a stylish one-bedroom studio in Prevelly and an ideal getaway for singles or couples, with a private outdoor area and BBQ. Best of all, this private escape is located directly across the road from Prevelly Beach, where endless sunsets await. The world-famous Surfers Point is a leisurely 10-minute stroll away. Or walk the Cape to Cape track which is at your doorstep. Prices start from $165pn

Fragrant Harbour

This four-bedroom, four-bathroom coastal property is situated on Gnarabup ridge, capturing spectacular views of the Indian Ocean. It has a stunning Balinese resort style swimming pool with an outdoor entertaining area, wood fire, trampoline and hammock. This is a place designed for entertaining, with a gourmet kitchen featuring all the modern conveniences. Prices start from $550pn for two people

Flinders Bay House

Turner Holiday Park Chalets

Augusta might be famous for its lighthouse at the tip of the Cape, and for the stingray family at Hamelin Bay, but you’ll equally fall in love with the riverside banks of the Blackwood River. Modern chalets at Turner Holiday Park are right on the riverfront where you can follow walkways to the Augusta Hotel for a meal, go supping on the water, and generally feel a sense of nostalgia for simple holiday pleasures. Prices start from $210pm mid-week

Mandalay Holiday Resort Spa Villas

Eternal sunshine on a spotless bay. The original villas at Mandalay Holiday Resort overlook lush lawn which leads to the white sands and blue waters of Geographe Bay. Downstairs has a luxury bathroom and laundry while upstairs has two bedrooms, one with a king bed, electric blankets and flat screen tv, and another bedroom with four single beds. Rates at approx. $200 - $300 pn

LUXURY

Flinders Bay House, Augusta

Step inside this Hamptons-inspired, magnificent seaside home in Augusta that oozes nostalgia and seaside serenity with its sweeping ocean views and balconies overlooking Flinders Bay. Comfortably accommodating 12 people, with its fivebedrooms, six-bathrooms and various living areas, it also has a serene conservatory where you can curl up with a book and

Stay in our air conditioned 2 storey spa villas, chalets, beach cottages & cabins or enjoy the comfort of caravan, camping & motorhome sites with private ensuites. Pet friendly caravan & camping sites. Giant waterslide · Heated indoor pool Games room · 4 playgrounds Jumping pillow · Glamping tents