Report a Glossy Black-Cockatoo Sighting

Every sighting matters.

Reporting your observations of the Glossy Black-Cockatoos helps us protect this vulnerable species. Whether you spot a single bird, a pair, a feeding tree, or a flock at a drinking site, your data can inform bushfire recovery, habitat restoration and the long-term survival of the Glossy Black-Cockatoo.

How to report a sighting

All sightings of Glossy Black-Cockatoos should now be recorded via the Birdata portal, hosted by BirdLife Australia. Birdata is the official national platform for bird observation data and includes a dedicated module for the South-eastern Glossy Black-Cockatoo.

Never used Birdata before?

Step-by-step instructions are available in our resources section

Why your sighting is important

Glossies are specialists—feeding only on certain she-oak trees and nesting in large eucalypt hollows. Their range is shrinking, their food sources are disappearing, and we can’t protect what we don’t know exists. Your reports help us to:

  • Map feeding and nesting habitat
  • Track breeding behaviour and flock movement
  • Inform conservation planning and land-use decisions
  • Monitor change over time
glossy black in flight against grey sky above trees

Whether you’re an experienced birder or a first-time observer, your data makes a difference.

glossy black cockatoos feeding in trees

Female Glossies, otherwise known as Flossies are known for their yellow face patches, and are under-represented in many sightings. We’re especially interested in photographs of female Glossies as part of our Flossy Finders project.

Find out more here.

If you observe any signs of nesting—such as birds entering hollows, feeding dependent young, or repeated visits to the same tree—please notify us directly, especially if you’re in South East Queensland. Even a single confirmed nest can have a big impact on local conservation planning.

Email us here.

When recording your sighting, try to note:

  • Number of birds
  • Sex and age (if known)
  • What they were doing (feeding, flying, drinking, nesting)
  • Type of she-oak, if feeding
  • Location and time

If you notice chewed cones (“chewings” or “orts”) beneath a she-oak tree, that’s a good sign Glossies have been feeding there—please include those details too.