Carnaby's Black Cockatoo

[Whitlam]

Bold Park, Western Australia

A short billed black Cockatoo, Carnaby's is in endangered, with its population decreasing by 50% in the last 20 years (habitat loss as urban sprawl chews up more and more land).

Here seen feeding on Banksias - a large social bird, they used to fly in large flocks. A beautiful sight when seen. A loud and noisy bird.

[witchy]

Lovely shots of one of my favourite birds. We still see large flocks of the white tailed ones around here where I live and small flocks of the red tailed cockatoos. I get them both land in trees on our property (I have a few average pics that I might post). They are usually around in the summer months though, I haven't seen them for a while.

What lens did you use for this pic? I have never had a lot of luck getting close enough to get really good shots!

[Whitlam]

100 - 400mm telephoto zoom + 1.4 tc coupled with 1Ds Mk II. Just stood still for a long time to let them enjoy eating.

They are very nervous and take off at the slightest provaction.

[jw1047]

Great that you could get a couple of clear shots in.

How close did you have to get with that setup?

[Whitlam]

less than 10m. I was able to walk very slowly underneath them and view them form the otherside

[witchy]

100 - 400mm telephoto zoom + 1.4 tc coupled with 1Ds Mk II. Just stood still for a long time to let them enjoy eating.

They are very nervous and take off at the slightest provaction.

They sure do!!

I manage to frequently scare them off :)

[wayne_eddy]

Looks like they are feefing on last years B. Prionotes seeds or the grubs within them.

[bob393]

Great pic, great bird, thanks for sharing!

[scnapper]

Beautiful bird and well captured Whitlam. Its not often you see pictures this good of these birds.