Planting for Australia’s 5 species of Black Cockatoos
By Claire Laws 15 March 2023
Everyone can play a part in helping Australia’s iconic black cockatoos by planting cockatoo friendly habitat. The plants below are a guide of what to plant for each species depending on where you live in Australia. Always check with your local council, native nursery or Bushcare group for more information on the right plants for supporting black cockatoos in your area.
Glossy black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami)
Call: tarr-red
There are three subspecies of the Glossy black cockatoo:
Kangaroo Island subspecies (Calyptorhynchus lathamihalmaturinus) - found only on Kangaroo Island in SA
South-eastern subspecies (Calyptorhynchus lathamilathami) - found from south-eastern Queensland to eastern Victoria
Central-eastern QLD subspecies (Calyptorhynchus lathamierebus) - found along the coast of central QLD
Food: Feed almost exclusively on seeds from She-oak plants (Allocasuarina and Casuarina)
Some species to plant:
If you live in south-eastern QLD or NSW, you might like to plant some Black She-oak (Allocasuarina littoralis) or Forest She-oak (Allocasuarina torulosa) trees
If you live further inland in SE Australia, you might like to plant some Belah (Casuarina cristata)
Red-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii)
Call: krurr-rurr-kee or krurr-rak or kree
There are five subspecies of the Red-tailed black cockatoo
Calyptorhynchus banksiibanksii – found along the coast in QLD and northern NSW
Calyptorhynchus banksiigraptogyne – found in VIC and SA
Calyptorhynchus banksiimacrorhynchus – found across northern AUS
Calyptorhynchus banksiinaso – found in WA
Calyptorhynchus banksiisamueli – found in central AUS and parts of WA
Food: Seeds of Eucalypts, Casuarinas, Acacias and Banksias. May also eat fruit, nectar, flowers and sometimes insects
Some species to plant:
If you’re in WA, you might like to plant some Banksias, including Slender Banksia (Banksia attenuata), Firewood Banksia (Banksia menziesii) or Acorn Banksia (Banksia prionotes). You could also plant some Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) or Marri (Corymbia calophylla)
If you’re in coastal QLD and NSW, you might like to plant some Black She-oak (Allocasuarina littoralis) or Forest She-oak (Allocasuarina torulosa)
If you live in VIC and SA (and want to encourage the south-eastern subspecies), you can plant Stringybark trees (Eucalyptus baxteri and Eucalyptus arenacea) and Buloke (Allocasuarina luehmannii)
Yellow-tailed black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus)
Call: whee-la or wee-lar
Widespread and found throughout south-eastern Australia, from central QLD to the Eyre Peninsula in SA.
Food: Seeds of native trees and ground plants, as well as some insects
Some species to plant:
Try planting some local Casuarinas, perhaps Black She-oak (Allocasuarinalittoralis) and Forest She-oak (Allocasuarinatorulosa) are suitable for your area
You could also try some local Hakeas, Banksias and Wattles – check with your local council or native nursery for more information
Carnaby’s black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris)
Call: wy-lah
Endemic to predominately semi-arid areas of south-west WA.
Food: Seeds of native plants, including Banksias, Hakeas, Grevilleas and Marri (Corymbia calophylla), as well as insect larvae
Some species to plant:
Try planting local Banksias and Hakeas, perhaps plants such asSlender Banksia (Banksia attenuata), Firewood Banksia (Banksia menziesii), Acorn Banksia (Banksia prionotes), Urchin Dryandra (Banksia undata), Honey Bush (Hakea lissocarpha) or Wavy-leafed Hakea (Hakea undulata) areappropriate for your area
You might also like to plant some Marri (Corymbia calophylla)
Baudin’s black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus baudinii)
Call: similar to the Carnaby's
Endemic to higher rainfall areas of south-west WA.
Food: Seeds of native plants (including Banksias, Hakeas, Marri (Corymbia calophylla) and Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata), sometimes insects and insect larvae
Some species to plant:
Try planting local Banksias and Hakeas, perhaps plants such as Slender Banksia (Banksia attenuata), Firewood Banksia (Banksia menziesii), Acorn Banksia (Banksia prionotes), Urchin Dryandra (Banksia undata), Honey Bush (Hakea lissocarpha) or Wavy-leafed Hakea (Hakea undulata) are appropriate for your area
You might also like to plant some Marri (Corymbia calophylla) or Jarrah (Eucalyptus marginata) trees
Claire joined the Planet Ark team in 2021. With a background in Environmental Science and a Masters in Environmental Law and Sustainable Development, Claire is keen to build on her previous work in ecological research and be part of Planet Ark's actions-based approach to environmental protection.
