Gang-gang Nests (tree hollows) Search

Gang-gangs are declining. It is unknown why. Locating nest hollows allows comparison of breeding success and testing of potential causes (hollow competition, possum predation, climate change).

Across the Gangs-gangs national distribution there has been a 69% decline in its reporting rate within the last three decades. The decline is uneven. Some populations appear stable while others may be near extinction. Despite it being an iconic easily recognisable Cockatoo, the ecology is poorly understood. It nests in eucalypt tree hollows and pairs appear to prefer to nest near each other in breeding clusters.

The locations of very few nesting hollows are known. This project seeks your help in finding more. Once known, breeding trees can be better protected and comparisons can be made of breeding success across the birds range. The breeding success rate can be compared to the distribution of environmental factors that may be influencing the decline. Factors implicated in possible decline include:
• reduction in tree hollows from clearing and forestry practices;
• competition for remaining hollows from other hollow nesters, particularly the Sulphur Crested Cockatoo;
• possum predation of eggs and chicks, particularly within and close to urban areas where Brushtail Possums are common;
• increased fire reducing suitable feeding and nesting habitat; and
• other climate change factors such as increased temperature during nesting or increased intensity of summer rains. Such events can lead to chicks dying in a hollow from heat exhaustion or hollows being flooded.

Gang-gangs are frequently checking out hollows at any time of the year. They are a water source as well. The particular hollow behaviours we are asking you to record, help us in determining whether it is a likely nest tree. Teams of citizen science researchers will follow up likely records, by undertaking observations. Your records are helping us focus the search effort. We would love you to be further involved if you would like to be part of these observations. Contact Michael Mulvaney

We are aiming to utilise the enthusiasm that people feel for the Gang-gang to boost our understanding of this Cockatoo and in particular how it can be better conserved.

Better knowledge of Gang-gang diet is also likely to help in turning around the Cockatoo’s decline. Please lodge any photographs of feeding Gang-gangs within the Hungry Parrot project
https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/hungry-parrots-project λιγότερα ↑