Adult gang-gangs do tend to be a bit more discerning, though, taking things that are more likely to work in ornament construction, and will proudly bring some of the resulting baubles to their magi as thanks. Otherwise, send the details to our dedicated project email address and include the time and location of your siting, a photograph of the tree and, if possible, a photo of the tree hollow as well.”įor more information on the project contact Courtney Fink Downes on 4474 7493.ĭon’t miss out on Council news and events, subscribe to our monthly email newsletter.Adult gang-gangs learn some measure of calm compared to hatchlings, at least when raised by magi, and are slightly more likely to wait for permission to take something that catches their fancy than steal it outright - though given the strong, bitey beaks on adults, usually magi don't bother trying to deny their companion whatever materials they claim. “Tech savvy people can upload this information directly to the iNaturalist app or website.

“Right now we’re keen to hear from anyone in Eurobodalla who has recently seen gang gangs checking out tree hollows – this is the time they are looking at potential nest sites,” she said. Ms Fink Downes has issued a call to action. It also means we can thoroughly test the tubes with temperature loggers over the hottest part of the summer to ensure there’s no risk of nestlings overheating.” Gang gangs don’t necessarily use the same hollows each year but they should remember the nest tubes for future years. But putting them up by January and February gives them plenty of time to examine the tubes. “The nesting tubes won’t be used by the birds this breeding season. Dr Rhind said she planned to locate three nest-tubes near a natural gang gang hollow at ten different locations in Eurobodalla this summer. Gang gang researchers in the ACT have noticed several gang gang pairs will nest in close vicinity and appear to defend each other’s hollows. As the stick is chewed down over time, it also provides us with a clear indicator that nest tube is in use.” The birds will chew this up and it becomes litter in the tube base for the eggs to rest on. “That’s one reason we put the chew stick through the top of the nest-tube. While your standard wooden nest box won’t endanger birds, they’re of no use for gang gangs – they’d be chewed apart in not time! The design is very precise to avoid potential welfare concerns. “They’ve been precisely designed to ensure adult birds and chicks can climb up and down with ease. The entry is on the side with an internal metal ladder from entry to base,” Dr Rhind said. “Each nesting tube is a 75cm length of capped PVC tube, with drainage holes in the bottom and a single hole for a chewing stick in the top. The dimensions of the nest tubes for this project were adjusted using measurements of natural gang gang hollows made by ACT researchers, who will also deploy nest tubes as part of the collaborative research effort.

“Really, this has to be one of the most exciting citizen science projects out there.”ĭr Rhind has developed gang gang specific nesting tubes after examining models successful in helping other endangered cockatoos, including glossy black cockatoos in the east and Carnaby’s and Baudin’s black cockatoos in Western Australia. We’re looking for help at each stage of the project. Finally, we set up for five years of volunteer and mechanical nest monitoring. Then we build scientifically designed nest tubes to be hung in the vicinity of those natural hollows. Initially we need to locate natural hollows where gang gangs are showing interest. Here’s a great opportunity for the community to join in to secure the future of these beautiful parrots,” Ms Fink Downes said. “Everyone loves these gorgeous grey cockatoos, with their crazy mohawk crests and the males’ bright scarlet heads. “We didn’t realise exactly how much trouble gang gangs are in they’re likely to be nationally listed as endangered when reassessed next year,” Dr Rhind said.Īs part of coordinated research by scientists across Australia, Eurobodalla Council has joined with Dr Rhind to secure a grant to build and site artificial breeding hollows for gang gangs in Eurobodalla.Ĭouncil’s natural resources supervisor Courtney Fink Downes said the project was a logical extension of Council’s nest-box program, which also relied on the expertise of Dr Rhind and Dr Ellis. Dr Rhind said the rapid decline had researchers worried about the species’ future.

In the last 21 years gang gang cockatoos have declined by 69 per cent. Gang up to save special cockatoo Published: 19 October 2021īiologists Susan Rhind and Murray Ellis are calling on local citizen scientists to join them in a project designed to reverse the decline of one of Australia’s most iconic birds.

Gang gang cockatoo location