Researchers discover new subspecies of red-tailed black cockatoo in WA – ABC Science Online

Groundbreaking research has identified a new subspecies of one of Australia's most iconic birds, which experts say is unique to inland Western Australia and has been "hidden in plain sight".

The red-tailed black cockatoo is found across Australia with populations in almost all states and territories.

But a large-scale genetic study by researchers from the Australian Museum, University of Sydney, CSIRO and the University of Edinburgh has revealed WA is home to a newly recognised subspecies of the bird.

The newly identified subspecies lives in the regions spanning the Wheatbelt, east of Perth, to the Pilbara in the state's north-west.

Researcher Kyle Ewart said while the population of red-tailed black cockatoos resembled those in other states, its genetic makeup was distinctly different.

"It was previously thought that this West Australian population was going to be genetically exactly the same as the other inland red-tailed black cockatoos," he said.

"We think they were characterised as one subspecies because they all looked the same.

"Evolution is not that simple some things look different but are genetically very similar and vice versa.

"We've found that the WA red-tailed black cockatoo is much more closely related to the forest red-tailed black cockatoo, based around Perth, than it is to the other inland populations."

Mr Ewart said the new subspecies had been named Calyptorhynchus banksii escondidus, as distinct from its previous classification, Calyptorynchus banksii samueli

"Escondidas is new it's the subspecies' name and it basically means 'hidden' because it's been hidden in plain sight," he said.

"We knew this population was there, but we didn't know it was a different subspecies."

The genetic study involved the collection of new and old samples from across the country, including fresh tissue samples from roadkill, as well as old taxidermied birds displayed in Australian museums.

The samples were then painstakingly processed and analysed to determine if the genetics matched previously recognised subspecies.

Mr Ewart said the discovery was an important step in the preservation and protection of the red-tailed black cockatoo.

"Now we have to treat this as a different subspecies so the conservation of this subspecies becomes a priority," he said.

"We just don't know enough about it it's hard to tell if its vulnerable, threatened, endangered [or] critically endangered.

"What needs to be done now is figure out the ecology of the new subspecies where it's eating and nesting and how many there are because it's vital to conserve this distinct piece of genetic diversity.

"Categorising it will hopefully turn the wheel to find out more about it and its conservation status."

Northern Agricultural Catchments Council bushcare officer Jarna Kendle, who helps organise an annual count of cockatoos, has a soft spot for the black cockatoos and describes them as "beautiful" birds with "vibrant personalities".

But their populations have plummeted.

She said the new research would help generate interest in the Great Cocky Count and other projects aimed at protecting the birds and boosting their numbers.

"Habitat loss is one of the biggest threats to black cockatoos, and urban development and land clearing contribute to that," Ms Kendle said.

There is also a threat from other species including corellas, which are "thriving", she said

"Black cockatoos require nesting hollows and the nesting hollows are also being used by pest species such as feral bees and corellas so that limits their capacity to breed," she said.

Ms Kendle, whose work covered the Mid West and part of the Wheatbelt in Western Australia, said the black cockies were an iconic bird in the state.

"They definitely deserve our recognition and they deserve us to do everything we can to preserve them for the future," she said.

"They are vibrant personalities and when you hear them fly over you can recognise them instantly by their call."

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Researchers discover new subspecies of red-tailed black cockatoo in WA - ABC Science Online