Threatened Species Day: featuring the Glossy Black Cockatoo

Each year on 7 September, Australia observes National Threatened Species Day, a day to reflect on the animals we have already lost, and to strengthen our commitment to protecting those still with us. The date commemorates the death of the last known Tasmanian Tiger (Thylacine) in 1936, reminding us of the irreversible consequences of inaction.

For Queenslanders, the day holds special significance. Our state is home to some of the richest biodiversity in the world, but also to some of the most threatened wildlife.

The recently released Queensland State of the Environment Report 2024 confirms that the number of threatened species in our state continues to rise, with 48 more animal species added to the list since 2019. It highlights that habitat loss, invasive species, climate impacts, and human pressures remain the leading threats to Queensland’s unique wildlife.

Queensland is home to some of the most unique wildlife in the world, but also some of the most vulnerable.

More than 1,000 species of plants and animals in Queensland are currently listed as threatened under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Qld), including koalas, greater gliders, northern hairy-nosed wombats, and Glossy Black Cockatoos.

A full list of threatened species can be found on the Queensland Government’s website.

The Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami) is the smallest of Australia’s five black cockatoo species, measuring about 48 cm. It is currently listed as Vulnerable in Queensland.

In Queensland, two subspecies occur: C. lathami lathami – South Queensland (Gympie to NSW border) and C. lathami erebus – Central and northern coasts up to the Connors-Clarke ranges.

There is also a distinct population on Kangaroo Island, SA.

“Glossies” are quiet and often overlooked. They feed in pairs or trios, but may gather in larger groups near drinking or roosting sites.

They mate for life and raise just one chick every one to two years. Nesting hollows are usually found in large old eucalypts, 10–20 metres above the ground and are reused across seasons.

For many First Nations peoples, Glossy Black Cockatoos are much more than birds.

• Among the Guugu Yimithirr people of Cape York, the Black Cockatoo is a totem animal tied to cultural marriage rules.
• In Dreaming stories, birds often serve as messengers between the spirit world and people.
• On the Tiwi Islands, cockatoos are carved into ceremonial Pukumani poles as a way of honouring the dead.

Their presence in Indigenous stories, art, and spirituality reinforces the need to protect them as part of both natural and cultural heritage.

The Glossy Black Cockatoo faces several challenges:

• Specialised diet: They almost exclusively eat the seeds of she-oak (Allocasuarina) cones, with a pair consuming up to 60,000 cones per year. Loss of she-oak woodlands is devastating for them.
• Habitat loss: Land clearing, logging, and fragmentation reduce both feeding grounds and nesting sites.
• Bushfires: The 2019–20 Black Summer bushfires destroyed critical habitat across their range, especially she-oak feeding trees.
• Low reproduction rates: With just one chick every one or two years, recovery is slow.
• Environmental barriers: Injuries from fences and threats from the illegal wildlife trade also add pressure.

Glossies are shy, but if you look carefully you might notice: Chewed remnants of she-oak cones under feeding trees, soft contact calls or the clicking sound of their bills, small groups perched quietly in she-oaks or eucalypts.

Protecting Queensland’s threatened species doesn’t just happen in national parks or on government land. Every Queenslander can play a role in ensuring our unique animals have a future. This Threatened Species Day, we’re encouraging everyone to focus on three simple but powerful areas:

1. Protect Habitat

Healthy habitats are the foundation of survival for all threatened species. When bushland, wetlands, and forests are cleared or fragmented, animals lose their food sources, shelter, and breeding grounds.

What you can do:

• Support campaigns and organisations working to protect native bushland.
• Back government policies that prioritise biodiversity conservation.
• Get involved in local community tree-planting or bush-care events.
• Reduce your environmental footprint, from water use to waste reduction, to lessen pressure on ecosystems.

2. Make Your Yard Wildlife-Friendly

You don’t need a forest in your backyard to make a difference. Simple changes at home can create mini sanctuaries for local species, from small birds and butterflies to threatened animals like gliders and frogs. Read more about attracting wildlife to your yard.

What you can do:

• Plant native shrubs and trees to provide food and shelter.
• Add a birdbath or shallow dish of water in shaded areas for wildlife.
• Reduce or avoid pesticide and herbicide use.
• Keep outdoor spaces safe by covering pools, securing nets, and removing hazards. 

Read more living with wildlife tips!

3. Be a Responsible Dog Owner

Domestic dogs, even well-loved family pets, can pose risks to native animals if not carefully managed. Roaming dogs may chase, injure, or kill wildlife, especially ground-dwelling species like koalas, wallabies, and bandicoots.

What you can do:

• Keep your dog on-lead in bushland and national parks.
• Secure fencing at home to prevent roaming.
• Train and exercise your dog so they are well-stimulated and less likely to chase wildlife.
• Support councils and community groups promoting responsible pet ownership.

National Threatened Species Day is more than a reminder of the past; it’s a call to action for the future.

By protecting natural habitats, making our own backyards wildlife-friendly, and ensuring our pets are managed responsibly, we can all play a part in reversing the decline of threatened species so the Glossy Black Cockatoo, and so many of Queensland’s threatened species, have a fighting chance to survive and thrive in the wild.

Read more about the Glossy Black Cockatoo.