The South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo is the rarest of all of Australia’s black-cockatoos. On the first Sunday in May every year we call on volunteers to help us conduct our annual count by surveying over 60 sites across their range.
Groups of volunteers will be allocated a site in stringybark forest, which they will cover via vehicle, driving slowly along forest tracks in search of Red-tails. 4WD is preferred but there are some sites that can be done easily in a 2WD.
Volunteers choose one of two survey methods to search for the birds:
The South-eastern Red-tailed Black Cockatoo Annual Cocky Count takes place from Keith to Mount Gambier in South Australia and from the Little Desert National Park to Nelson in Victoria. Landholders within the Red-tail’s range are also welcome to survey their own patches of stringybark on the day.
Volunteer groups are able to search their allocated site at any time of the day, for as long as they want, on Saturday 2 May, but it is recommended that participants search either up until midday and/or from 3pm until dusk; this is when the birds tend to be more vocal and visible.
No prior bird surveying experience is required however, it’s very important to become familiar with how to identify Red-tails, as they can be confused with the more common Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo. Training on what signs to look for to locate South-eastern Red-tailed Black-Cockatoos will be offered in person and online.
Learn how to identify Red-tails and hear their call: https://www.redtail.com.au
An online training session will be offered and a training video is also available to explain the best practice in locating the birds.
Optional in-person training is offered on the morning of the Count.
Volunteers can also opt to carry out a stringybark seed assessment survey during the count to help monitor food availability for the birds.
Participants are encouraged to organise their own search group (e.g. family, friends etc), but there will be places available for single participants to join other volunteer search groups.
To register your interest or secure your search area for 2026, complete the form below.
You can also register by emailing redtail@birdlife.org.au.
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