The Glossy Black Conservancy is collaborating with Birdlife Australia who is hosting the second annual Great Glossy Count on the

9 & 10 September, 2023.

The South-eastern Glossy Black-Cockatoo was recently listed as Vulnerable under Australian legislation and is at risk of further population decline after losing large areas of feeding habitat during the Black Summer bushfires of 2019–20.

Glossy Black-Cockatoos (also known as ‘Glossies’) feed almost exclusively on seeds found in the cones of she-oak trees (Allocasuarina and Casuarina). Data about Glossies and their feeding habitats are vital for planning bushfire recovery and conservation action.

The Great Glossy Count 2023 is a citizen science event being held on the weekend of 9 and 10 September. It is run by BirdLife Australia in collaboration with the Glossy Black Conservancy and other organisations which work to conserve Glossies. The Count takes place across the distribution of the South-eastern Glossy Black-Cockatoo (south-eastern Queensland, eastern NSW, the ACT and eastern Victoria).

Volunteer citizen scientists will explore their selected survey site to collect data on Glossies and their feeding habitat. You can participate in the Count as part of a group or with a friend — it’s a great opportunity for people to enjoy time in nature while supporting the recovery of threatened birds.

Citizen scientists will have the opportunity to participate in workshops in the lead-up to this event and learn about Glossies, including:

• how to identify Glossies
• what Glossies eat, and how to recognise the she-oaks they feed on
• Glossy ecology and behaviour
• how to record data so it can be used to protect Glossies.

Data collected during the Count will support vital bushfire recovery and conservation work for Glossies by informing actions to manage their habitat.

Registrations for the Great Glossy Count open on 31 July. You can find out more about the Great Glossy Count and how to register here. Sightings of Glossy Black-Cockatoo can also be recorded anytime here.

For more information or specific questions, please email the Birdlife team.

Volunteers can attend workshops and guided walks to learn about Glossy Black-Cockatoo identification, how to observe and record Glossies in the field and threats to the bird’s survival.

Great Glossy Count 2023 workshops

Learn more about identifying Glossy Black-Cockatoos for the 2023 Great Glossy Count

Download our new field guide
A new guide, produced by Birdlife Australia and the Glossy Black Conservancy will support citizen scientists to collect data on South-eastern Glossy Black-Cockatoos.
Download here.

The Great Glossy Count is a BirdLife Australia project, delivered collaboratively with the Glossy Black Conservancy.