Priority species
EPBC Endangered (EN)
Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo
Zanda baudinii
Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo is endemic to the south-west of Western Australia. It is a large, greyish-black cockatoo with a large bill and one of Australia’s five black cockatoo species. The population of this cockatoo has declined because of habitat degradation, removing nesting hollows and food resources.
Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo and Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo are quite similar and are often mistaken for each other.
The body feathers of both species are brownish-black, with narrow off-white tips, making the feathers look scalloped when viewed at close range. They have white patches on their cheeks and white panels on the tail that are particularly visible during flight. The males of both species are distinguished by rings of pink skin around the eye and black bills, while both females have grey-black eye rings and bone coloured bills.
Where they differ is by the shape of their bills. Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo has a short, wide bill. In comparison, Baudin’s bills are long and narrow, with an upper mandible that extends well below the lower. The average size is 55cm.
A loud, whistling ‘weeoo wee-oo’, often repeated.
Bird call recorded by: Marc Anderson, XC383711 via xeno-canto.org, licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos occur only in south-western Western Australia, between Albany and Perth. This species can be found in different parts of their distribution depending on the time of year.
Baudin’s Black-Cockatoos have a preference for Jarrah and Marri forests. They breed in large hollows of old Karri and Marri within heavily forested areas
Distribution map
Baudin’s Black-cockatoos are social birds, and while you sometimes see individual birds, they are more often in pairs, small groups, or large flocks. With their loud calls, flocks can be heard well before they are seen.
Cockatoos may move along a branch, biting off cones or seeds and green branches for no clear reason.
Black-cockatoos are known to eat a variety of native nuts, fruits and seeds, as well as nectar and insects. However, their primary food source is seeds from Marri and Karri eucalypts. They are also known to have learned to eat commercial foods such as seeds from fruit found in orchards and seeds from pine cones.
Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo breeding season is mainly during the summer months (between October and February) in the southern Jarrah forests. They nest mostly nest in tall eucalypt hollows. Tree hollows are vital for cockatoos to breed in but, unfortunately, they are being lost to fire and deforestation. In addition, other invasive species like feral bees can occupy the hollow and prevent their use from hollow-nesting birds such as Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo.
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Facing a very high risk of extinction in the wild.
Climate change
Habitat destruction
Invasive species
The population of this cockatoo has declined because of habitat degradation. Trees with suitable breeding hollows are rapidly being cleared and are in short supply. In addition, food trees have also declined.
