Black cockies take flight for second chance
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 23:08 
Volunteers join DEC wildlife officers Rick Dawson and Karen Debski releasing the cockatoos at Perry Lakes. NINE Carnaby’s black cockatoos released back into the wild last week will add to the population of birds nesting near Perry Lakes.
The cockatoos were nursed back to health at Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre in Martin before they were released at Perry Lakes.
Centre general manager Chris Phillips said the birds would stand out as they had green strips painted on the underside of their tails.
“The idea is that people can track the birds throughout Perth and help with the research,” he said.
Mr Phillips said many of the birds were expected to assimilate into flocks currently flying through Perth.
“A count done before the birds were released showed there were more than 300 birds nesting in the Nedlands roost,” he said.
The painted green strips cover the birds’ natural white tail feathers, which separate them from other related black cockatoo species, including the more common red tailed cockatoos.
The birds, which also have tracking devices, are a part of a research project into the survival requirements of the threatened species in Perth.
Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) research officer Christine Groom said the data gathered on these birds would inform researchers about the dispersal and survival of rehabilitated cockatoos.
“The birds have spent varying amounts of time undergoing rehabilitation for a range of injuries, sustained from vehicle strikes and shootings,” she said.
“It is great that they are getting another chance at life, which can also assist with valuable research.”
The birds add to more than 100 Carnaby’s black cockatoos already a part of DEC research programs.
Ms Groom said the birds were released in time for the Great Cocky Count this weekend.
“Volunteer observers participating in the Great Cocky Count on Sunday, April 15 will also be encouraged to look out for the tail-marked birds,” she said.
Sightings of these birds can be reported to Ms Groom on 9334 0579 or email at christine.groom @dec.wa.gov.au.