This black cockatoo is recovering after being hit by a car. A RARE yellow-tailed black cockatoo is lucky to be alive after a very close encounter with a car.

Wildlife carer Klarissa Garnaut from Wildlife Help on the Mornington Peninsula said her partner, Greg Macdonald, found the injured bird lying on the side of Two Bays Rd, Moorooduc.

“He is missing all the skin down to his skull,” Ms Garnaut said.

“I took him to Main Ridge veterinary and the X-rays surprisingly said that was all that was wrong with him.

“He’s a very lucky bird.”

Ms Garnaut said the cocky was not very happy though.

Cockatoos are low-flying birds who love black sheoaks, pines and hakea trees.

Ms Garnaut is asking motorists to keep an eye out for them.

Anyone who finds injured wildlife can call WHOMP on 0417 380 687.