The Vertebrate Fauna of Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve: Final

GLOSSY BLACK-COCKATOO CALYPTORHYNCHUS LATHAMI
EPBC Act: Not Listed TSC Act: Vulnerable Priority in Area: Low
Glossy black-cockatoo. Photo © M.
Schulz
Chewed Allocasuarina cones are
telltale evidence of this species.
Photo M. Schulz
Occurrence in the Survey Area
Management Considerations
Protection of hollow-bearing trees may benefit this cockatoo.
Rare visitor. The glossy black-cockatoo is listed in the JKCR PoM
(DEC 2006a). There are no records from the Atlas of NSW Wildlife
and it was not reported from the current survey. However a large
flock has been recorded less than 5 kilometres to the east within
Kanangra-Boyd NP by OEH surveyors. There appears to be few
food resources for this cockatoo within JKCR. Glossy blackcockatoo
feed almost exclusively on sheoaks (Allocasuarina
species including A. verticillata, A. torulosa and A. littoralis) (Higgins
1999). No Allocasuarina species were seen within JKCR during this
survey. However, river oak Casuarina cunninghamiana may be an
occasional food resource (Glossy Black Conservancy 2008) and
these occur along the Jenolan River. This species is highly mobile
and sightings within JKCR are probably birds commuting between
more abundant food resources in the surrounding landscape.
Regional Conservation Significance
The glossy black-cockatoo is relatively common in the sandstone
reserves of the Greater Blue Mountains, including Nattai and Blue
Mountains NP. It is very rare on the Woronora Plateau (DECC
2007). JKCR provides few food resources for this cockatoo and the
area is only infrequently used. It is possible that glossy blackcockatoo
may use JKCR for nesting, though this has not been
recorded in the past. Overall, JKCR does not contribute significantly
to the regional conservation of the species.
Threats in the Survey Area
Loss of hollow-bearing trees, and infection by Psittacine Circoviral
(beak and feather) Disease.
The Vertebrate Fauna of Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve 45