Bird of the Year 2025: vote for Baudin's Black-Cockatoo

With Bird of the Year in full swing, we’re turning our attention to the underdogs of the avian world, such as the Critically Endangered Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo. We caught up with Merryn Pryor, BirdLife Australia’s WA Black-Cockatoo Project Coordinator, to find out why this unique and threatened species needs your vote.

Voting is open for Bird of the Year 2025. Vote for your favourite bird now! 

Why are you voting for the Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos?

The Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo is a beautiful and iconic bird, endemic to south-western WA. They are often overshadowed by the other two south-western black-cockatoos (Forest Red-tailed and Carnaby’s), which are more well-known and receive the majority of funding. However, Baudin’s is the most threatened of the three, so it’s time they got more of the spotlight! What’s not to like about these majestic, enigmatic birds?

What makes Baudin’s stand out?

They are large, greyish-black parrots with white-cheek patches and a white panel on their tail feathers. Their body feathers have white edges, creating a scalloped appearance. The main feature which distinguishes them from the similar Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo is their longer, narrower upper bill. Males have a red-pink eye-ring, a dark bill and a dull cheek patch and scalloped pattern. In contrast, the female has a grey eye ring, a paler bill and brighter cheek patches and scalloping on the body.

What’s the conservation story?

The Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo was recognised as a distinct species in 1979. They were considered a pest in Western Australia until recently, due to their eating fruits in orchards, which created conflict with the agricultural industry, and illegal shooting remains a major threat, even though they are now fully protected. Listed as Endangered under the EPBC Act in 1999, their numbers have declined by up to 90% in some areas. BirdLife submitted an application to have the species uplisted to Critically Endangered under WA state legislation in 2023, but the WA Government rejected this nomination, citing insufficient data, despite international bodies uplisting them. Illegal shooting and habitat loss from clearing, mining and fires continue to be major threats.

What are we doing about it?

BirdLife Australia has worked on the Southwest Black-Cockatoo Recovery Program for many years, though Baudin’s conservation has been limited by a lack of information and funding. Data from the annual Great Cocky Count was used in the most recent Action Plan for Australian Birds, which recommended the species be uplisted to Critically Endangered, and this was submitted officially in 2023. BirdLife WA has been vocal in challenging the WA Government’s rejection of the uplisting and the impact of bauxite mining on prime Baudin’s habitat.

Over the last couple of years, BirdLife Australia’s staff have also been involved in trials lasers in orchards to deter the birds humanely and reduce conflict with orchardists.

Voting is open for Bird of the Year 2025. Vote for your favourite bird now!