Fake Carnaby's nests neglected

HUNDREDS of artificial nesting hollows erected to help save endangered Carnaby's black cockatoos are not being used by the birds, scientists have found.

EMPTY NESTERS: Carnaby's black cockatoos are under threat. Picture credit: Christine Groom Source: PerthNow

Fewer than one in five artificial hollows in WA are used because they have been erected in the wrong place, a new study by the Department of Environment and Conservation reveals.

Not one of 86 fake nests in the Perth metropolitan area showed signs of use.

This is the first time the design and placement of imitation hollows, which are usually erected by  private households, land care groups or housing developers and cost on average almost $400 each, has been researched since the devices were installed across the state in the 1980s.

Department of Environment and Conservation zoologist Peter Mawson said the findings were important for the species which had been pushed to the brink of extinction by land clearing and competition from other animals.

The DEC study found 71 per cent of artificial hollows that showed signs of use were within one kilometre of where the birds were known to breed in natural hollows, and 55 per cent were less than 100m of a natural nest.

"The species is not interested in shifting from where they currently breed to somewhere new just because you put up a hollow,'' Mr Mawson said.

"It doesn't matter what type of material the hollow is made from as long as it has the basic parameters in terms of large enough diameter and allowed them easy access.''

Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo populations have declined by more than 50 per cent in the past 45 years with a third of former Wheatbelt breeding sites no longer in use.

WWF-Australia policy officer Katherine Howard has criticised a State Government requirement that artificial hollows are installed when black cockatoo breeding habitat is cleared.

"Artificial hollows can certainly be beneficial to black cockatoos when placed and monitored correctly, but they are not an adequate substitute for natural hollows and should not be used to justify the destruction of natural hollow-bearing trees,'' Ms Howard said.

"No matter how many artificial hollows are installed correctly, if we continue to clear Carnaby's cockatoo feeding habitat in coastal areas such as Perth, this iconic West Australian species is on the slippery slope to extinction.''

Environment Minister Bill Marmion said the study showed black cockatoos were just as selective as humans in deciding where to raise a family.

"From this study, we can conclude that artificial hollows should be placed in known nesting areas where there is a lack of available natural hollows,'' Mr Marmion said.

"Again like humans, the study found that proximity to a food source is an important factor for the birds.  Nests need to be within 12km of feeding habitat.''

"The study's findings have been used to draw up a series of information sheets on the design, placement, monitoring and maintenance of artificial hollows to ensure the time, effort and money spent on providing them has the best chance of success.''

Artificial hollows built from non-natural materials should be tested to ensure that they are safe for the birds, the DEC warns.