About the project

Turning good efforts into greater outcomes.

The conservation of black cockatoos is an ongoing focus across the City of Swan. For many years, we have worked with community groups, supported monitoring, planted trees, and installed watering points in efforts to protect and conserve their habitat.

Although these actions are making a difference, black cockatoo populations are continuing to decline.

The City plays a vital role in black cockatoo survival. Our region contains some of the largest and most consistently used roosts for Carnaby’s, Baudin’s, and Forest Red-tailed black cockatoos.

These birds depend on Swan’s bushland, river corridors, and green spaces to feed, drink, and rest - making local action critical to their survival across the Perth-Peel region.

  • In June 2025, Council noted the Black Cockatoo Conservation Action Plan (BCCAP) prepared by Murdoch University through the City's participation in the Keep Carnaby’s Flying – Ngoolarks Forever project
  • The BCCAP consolidates science, mapping, and local knowledge into a roadmap of recommended actions
  • The next step is to create an implementation plan – with estimated costs and a practical, measurable action plan to turn strategy into on-ground change.

Why black cockatoos matter

All three black cockatoo species found in Swan are considered threatened in WA, with numbers continuing to seriously decline.

They are more than just iconic birds - they are nature’s gardeners, spreading seeds and helping forests regenerate. Without them, many native trees would struggle to survive.

Swan is home to some of the largest and most important roosts in the Perth-Peel region. From these sites, cockatoos travel daily across bushland, river corridors, and even backyards in search of food and water.

What happens here has a direct impact on their survival across WA, and protecting habitat in Swan means giving black cockatoos a real chance to thrive.


Quick facts: black cockatoos in the City of Swan

Community role

Our community and shared efforts are at the heart of this project.

From October to December 2025, the City will start consultation with over 90 friends, conservation, and resident and ratepayer groups to shape the priorities and actions of the implementation plan.

These groups already play a hands-on role in habitat protection and local conservation. Their knowledge and on-ground expertise are critical at this stage of the project.

Once an implementation plan is adopted by Council (anticipated mid-2026), the whole community can play a vital role in the conservation actions to help shape a future where these remarkable birds continue to thrive.

Get involved

Protecting black cockatoos is a shared effort, and there are different ways to take part in this project now and into the future. Whether you are part of an established group or an individual passionate about nature, there is a role for everyone in protecting black cockatoos for generations to come.

  • Implementation plan design

    Registrations have now closed as of Friday, 31 October 2025.

    Thank all members of friends groups, conservation groups, and resident and ratepayer associations who registered. Your on-ground experience and local knowledge are invaluable in helping set the priorities and actions that will make the biggest impact for black cockatoo preservation.

    Stay tuned for updates as the project progresses—we look forward to working together to protect our precious flora and fauna for future generations.

  • Acting now, and into the future

    For the wider community

    You don’t need to wait until mid-2026 to make a difference. While the implementation plan is being developed, you can start supporting black cockatoos by planting food trees in your garden, joining a local friends group, or taking part in the City’s Thinking Green workshops.

    Start small today and be ready to join the bigger effort tomorrow.

    Find out more about Thinking Green  

  • Join a friends group in the City of Swan

    Friends groups are community volunteers who care for and protect reserves across the City of Swan. By joining a group, you can:

    • Plant native trees and shrubs
    • Remove weeds and rubbish
    • Help restore creeks and bushland
    • Create vital habitat for black cockatoos and other wildlife.

    The City supports friends groups by providing seedlings, training, safety gear, and technical advice – so you’ll never be working alone.

    Enquire about joining a friends group here