Hobbies And Interests
Breeding
Research performed by the Australian Department of Land Management between 1970 and 1976 found that Carnaby's cockatoos form strong bonds with their partners. As such the pairs stay together for breeding, for the majority of their adult life. Each female lays either one or two eggs between July and November. The birds are attracted to areas with higher rainfall, because the vegetation in these areas provides a good food source for the family.
Nesting
One of the primary reasons Carnaby's cockatoo is endangered is due to the dramatic removal of trees in its breeding areas. Older, hollow trees form the nesting site for the birds, and they are being removed. As such, the birds have no natural habitat to reproduce. Carnaby's cockatoos tend to nest in eucalyptus woodlands, especially those dominated by the salmon gum, Eucalyptus salmonophloia, or E. wandoo. They find these nests from July to September, before settling down to lay eggs.
Hatchlings
If the female bird has two eggs, these are born, on average, eight days apart. Once eggs are laid, the female incubates the eggs for up to 29 days by sitting on them to keep them warm. The nest is augmented with leaves and other forest debris. Research undertaken by Australian Department of Land Management showed in two-egg clutches a 98 percent death rate of the second chick within 48 hours. This has also contributed to the slow reproduction rates of Carnaby's cockatoo.
Chicks
Chicks that survive after hatching are fed by the female bird for the first two weeks. After this, the female and male will hunt and return to the nest to feed the young. It will stay in the nest for up to 11 weeks before taking flight to the coast. However, it will remain dependent on its parents for food until the next breeding starts. Carnaby's cockatoos cannot breed until they reach four years old; this has also contributed to its decline.