Supporting habitat conservation for black cockatoos

At Midalia Steel, we are proud to support conservation efforts to protect Australia’s unique wildlife. One of our ongoing contributions has been to partner with Landcare SJ, an environmental community organisation in Western Australia, to enhance breeding habitats for Black Cockatoos.

Our Welshpool branch donated 18 sheets of 50 x 50 mesh 1200 x 2400 sheet size which assisted in making over 100 artificial nesting boxes, known as COCKATUBES®. The Cockatubes donated to Kangaroo Island have been a spectacular success. Not all were installed in the first year due to the fact the birds shifted their range due to the fire and the researchers had to locate the flocks before proceeding. Some were installed and as a bonus the Yellow Tailed black cockatoos nested in the Cockatubes then after the chicks had flown the Red-Tailed Cockatoos known as the Glossy Black Cockatoo (also endangered) moved in and bred. As the Glossys nest later than the Yellows it was a perfect double bang for your bucks.

Black Cockatoos, including the endangered Carnaby’s Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus latirostris), face significant threats due to habitat loss. These birds rely on natural tree hollows for breeding, but such hollows can take over 150 years to form. Since 2005, Landcare SJ has been combatting this decline by installing Cockatubes to provide suitable nesting habitats.

Building on earlier successes, Landcare SJ has recently introduced a modified design to improve uptake by Red Tail Black Cockatoos. Studies revealed that these birds prefer greater seclusion and wooden materials over plastic.

The updated design includes:

• A bonnet for added privacy, mimicking the secluded nature of natural hollows.
• Additional wooden posts, providing a more natural feel for nesting.
• Notches in the posts to assist non-target species, such as owls, in safely exiting.

These innovations have already yielded success, with owls that previously became trapped in Cockatubes now using them as breeding hollows without issue.

This program continues to make a difference, supporting species such as the Glossy Black Cockatoo and contributing to biodiversity recovery in fire-affected areas.

At Midalia Steel, we’re proud to play a role in this important work. By supporting organisations like Landcare SJ, we’re helping to create a brighter future for Australia’s wildlife and the ecosystems they call home.