Summary
The Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo, also known as the Pink Cockatoo, is one of Australia’s most striking parrots and is listed as a threatened species. Following the devastating 2014 Mallee bushfires, over 93% of natural nesting hollows in Wyperfeld National Park were destroyed, placing the local population at risk of extinction.
In response, innovative work was undertaken to create simulated natural nesting cavities in standing Slender Cypress Pine trees (Callitris gracilis murrayensis). This was the first project of its kind anywhere in the world, designed to give this population of cockatoos a chance of survival.
This project continues that work by monitoring the breeding success of these artificial nests, ensuring they provide suitable long-term habitat and help stabilise the largest known breeding population of Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos in the Mallee region.
Project Strategy
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Monitor 26 artificial nest cavities to assess breeding success and long-term viability.
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Evaluate the effectiveness of the cavities as substitutes for natural hollows.
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Assess the impacts of fire on breeding outcomes.
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Train volunteers and university students in threatened species monitoring, data collection, ecological surveying, and GIS.
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Share project findings at local, state, national, and international levels to inform future conservation efforts.
Partners
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Threatened Species Conservancy (TSC) – Project leadership and delivery
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Local volunteers and universities – Training, survey support, and monitoring
Conservation Status
Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri) – Threatened species (Victoria)
Costs
