The naso Black Cockatoo sub specie has long been a desired acquisition for true black cockatoo enthusiasts.
First time viewers of naso’s, whether they are enthusiasts or keepers of other species are instantly in awe of
what they see before them. Words of medieval, awesome and massive are uttered from ones lips when confronted with a true naso sitting before them on a perch in the aviary. The object of aviculturists awe is
the magnificent large mandibles which take up a large proportion of the frontal head aspect of the naso.
The body size of the naso is smaller in length than most black cockatoo species although what they lack in
length they make up for in a compact, chunky body width.
A unique and playful personality is distinctive to naso’s. Blacks in general will interact with their keeper but naso’s have an endearing quality of getting in ones face with their comical nature and undeniable “I AM” attitude. A true naso is a sight to behold and so unique that identification of such a subspecies of black cockatoos is immediate.
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| Black Cockatoo |
Distribution
The naso is endemic to the south-west Western Australia ranging from Albany, Augusta and south of Perth. Helm’s block near Nannup is renowned for its suitability for sustainable populations of the naso as populations of naso’s currently exist in this area. The range of the naso has been claimed to have reduced by up to 36% over the last decade which can be compared to historical sightings and field studies of yesteryear. It is amazing that in this day and age that the range of such an Australian icon such as a sub-species of “Black Cockatoo” can shrink so dramatically due to human interference. Not only is the naso loosing habitat but that loss of habitat is severely crippling the existing population statistics.
Status
Years of research, talking and promises should have secured the status of the naso for future generations to come to appreciate the forest red-tail in their wild habitat. The naso redtail is listed as near threatened under the Federal Government Department of Environment and Water Resources. This list was studied and classified for the Federal Government was completed in 2000 and now seven years later we are reminded
how very fragile the population is by the threat and destruction of the prime ecology of one parcel of land such as Helm’s Block. I now refer to the last issue of the PSOA magazine (July-August 2007, pg28) where it has become apparent that the Western Australian Government’s Department of Environment and conservation have decided to lift an old growth logging moratorium on Helm’s Block.
Helm’s Block seems to be the lynch pin of the survival of the Forest redtail AKA the naso. Helm’s Block has everything required to sustain the survival and future generations of the naso. While on the search for some sort of understanding as to the ludicrous actions of the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation I stumbled across more damning information in regards to another block known as Buttler Block.
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| Black Cockatoo |
Buttler Block has previously been logged and burnt and I believe it is now to be reclassified as National Park.
I personally am amazed at the train of thought that the Western Australian Government is traveling down when
they can conscionably destroy nesting sites, burn out future food sources and expect that by declaring a raped
ex logging tract of land that is now desolate, as suitable habitat for a threatened species, to be some sort of
compromise is beyond belief.
Mother Nature has also dealt a saddening blow to the plight of the Black Cockatoo in these areas that are
being desolated by logging practices. Because of logging and the lack of suitable nesting sites naso’s are now
being forced to use smaller nesting hollows that ordinarily would be used by the white cockatoo family or smaller birds such as 28 parrots. This change of nesting habits is seeing the naso come into contact with PBFD which ordinarily has not been recorded in wild Black Cockatoos. Today there are increasing
cases of young Black Cockatoos being brought into care due to the fact that they are fledging from these smaller unsuitable nesting sites that have been infected with PBFD and unfortunately there is no cure for these young threatened naso babies.
My personal view on the plight and status of the naso and other Black Cockatoos in this area would have
to be that of grave disbelief as I don’t feel that there are enough efforts being made by the Western Australian
Government to safe guard the needed habitat of these magnificent birds.
Housing
Black Cockatoos in general are easily pleased when it comes to suitable housing. Suspended cages can be as minimal as 1.2mtrs W x 1.2mtrs H x 3mtrs L. Smaller suspendeds have the advantage of ensuring your pair has their own intimate area for breeding and this allows the pair to feel secure that they can protect and nurture their microenvironment, their own little domain. Larger suspendeds offer greater flying area which in turn equates to more exercise and better health and longevity.
My ideal sized suspended for housing Black Cockatoos would be 2mtrs W x 2mtrs H x 5mtrs L. In this larger sized suspended or even in a larger flight remember that blacks are secretive and need the privacy and protection of their own domain. The need for privacy can be dealt with by blocking one end of the suspended or conventional aviary off with a solid barrier such as colourbond etc... which will stop drafts, darken the surrounding area and create the right subdued environment for you to fit a nesting log or galvanized garbage bin in the suspended or conventional aviary for the birds to breed.
