Scientific name:Callocephalon fimbriatum Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable
Description
Gang-gang cockatoos are one of the more distinctive and charismatic members of Australia's avifauna. These birds are primarily slate-grey, with the males easily identified by their scarlet head and wispy crest, while females have a grey head and crest and feathers edged with salmon pink on the underbelly. They range in length from 32 to 37 cm, with a wingspan of 62 to 76 cm. The call has been likened to a creaking gate or cork being pulled from a bottle.
Location and habitat
Distribution The Gang-gang Cockatoo is distributed from southern Victoria through south- and central-eastern New South Wales. In New South Wales, the Gang-gang Cockatoo is distributed from the south-east coast to the Hunter
region, and inland to the Central Tablelands and south-west slopes. It occurs regularly in the Australian Capital Territory. It is rare at the extremities of its range, with isolated records known from as far north as Coffs Harbour and as far west as Mudgee.
Habitat and ecology
In summer, generally found in tall mountain forests and woodlands, particularly in heavily timbered and mature wet sclerophyll forests. In winter, may occur at lower altitudes in drier more open eucalypt forests and woodlands, and often found in urban areas.
May also occur in sub-alpine Snow Gum Eucalyptus pauciflora woodland and occasionally in temperate rainforests.
Move to lower altitudes in winter, preferring more open eucalypt forests and woodlands, particularly in box-ironbark assemblages, or in dry forest in coastal areas.
Favours old growth attributes for nesting and roosting.
Regional information This species is found in the following catchment management authority regions. Click on a region name to see more details about the distribution, vegetation types and habitat preference of the species in that region.
Clearing of vegetation and degradation of habitat may reduce the abundance of optimal foraging and roosting habitat.
Individual pairs show high fidelity to selected nesting trees (choosing nesting hollows of particular shape, position and structure), with clearing and frequent fire posing a threat to continued successful breeding.
Climate change may alter the extent and nature of its preferred habitat (cool termperate vegetation).
Susceptible to Psittacine cirovirus disease (PCD) which is spread through contaminated nest chambers. PCD is known to have increased near Bowral in the southern highlands of New South Wales over the past decade and constitutes a further threat to the species.
Recovery strategies
Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Department of Environment and Conservation has identified 11 priority actions to help recover the Gang-gang Cockatoo in New South Wales.
References
NSW Scientific Committee (2005) Gang-gang Cockatoo - Vulnerable species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
this page
