Size and Age Parameters of Nest Trees Used by Four Species of Parrot and One Species of Cockatoo in South-west Australia

Abstract

The size and health of hollow-bearing eucalypts successfully used by four species of parrot and one species of cockatoo in the south-west of Western Australia are described. The estimated age of these nest trees based on known growth rates is given and ranged from 73 years to over 1300 years. The lowest average estimated age of nest trees recorded for any of the parrot species was 275 years, and 446 years for the cockatoo species. In view of current timber production strategies and management policies for remnants of native vegetation there is a real possibility that nest hollows may be in limited supply in some areas in the near future. To ensure a continued supply of nest hollows for parrots it will be necessary to modify existing timber production strategies in forests, develop new strategies for managing isolated remnants, undertake research into the value of artificial nest hollows to supplement dwindling supplies, and encourage further community involvement in the management of small remnants of native vegetation.