With the raven breeding season starting Kaarakin Black Cockatoo Conservation Centre in Martin is experiencing more rescues and admitting more Red Tail Black Cockatoos than any other time of the year.
Kaarakin volunteering fundraiser coordinator at Lisa Kunze said August to November was traditionally the raven-breeding season, which sees them noisier and more aggressive in protecting their territory.
“The Red Tail Black Cockatoo injuries have been from the ravens attacking and pulling out their tail feathers as well as attacking their wings or head and they are usually the babies or juveniles,” she said.
“Black cockatoos, red-tails in particular, are quite a placid species in comparison.
“The fledglings are very vulnerable and reliant on their parents for up to 18 months after leaving the nest and are often left in one tree by themselves while the parents hunt for food to bring back to their offspring.
“Ravens can and will target these fledglings.”
Ms Kunze said feeding ravens allows them to breed and increase populations to levels that is damaging to the environment because it creates imbalance in the ecosystem.
“Feeding ravens reduces their natural ability to forage for their own food and encourages their presence,” she said.
“The raven is a highly skilled and intelligent bird and the best way to help the cockatoos and the ravens is to not feed the native birds or animals, keep the bins properly closed and secure, secure chicken pens, don’t litter and don’t overfill the rubbish bins.”
Kaarakin only opens twice a year to the public and is hosting a tour day on October 15 and 16 from 8am to 11am with all the money raised going towards protected threatened species.
Bookings are essential and for more information email fundraising@kaarakin.com or call 0421 280 376.
