Island's black cockatoo numbers take off
Wednesday, March 30, 2011 at 4:17 
Black Cockatoos - Magnetic Island. Photo: Bruce J DargieA wildlife ranger in north Queensland says he has never seen as many black cockatoos on Magnetic Island, off Townsville, as there are now.
Tony Gordon is the curator of a koala village on the island and says there has been a significant increase in the birds since Cyclone Yasi struck the coast in February.
He says while a single flock used to consist of about six cockatoos, it is now likely to be about 40.
"Not in the numbers they're in now, not in the large flocks that are here," he said.
"There's several large flocks around the island which normally, if you drive down Horseshoe sometimes you can see ... half a dozen or so but now they're underneath the trees."
Mr Gordon says trees on the island were well protected from the cyclone, meaning it is one of the few places able to provide a plentiful food source.
"Well the black cockatoos have definitely increased on the island," he said.
"Normally if you're on the island you may see a very small flock of about six, which is usually two pair and a couple of juveniles with them but at the moment there can be flocks of 40."