Glossy Black-Cockatoos are proving how resilient they are, with the latest Kangaroo Island census revealing positive news for this iconic South Australian bird. The 2025 Kangaroo Island Glossy Black-Cockatoo Census recorded a minimum of 446 birds across the island, showing that population numbers are remaining strong as the species expands eastward into new habitats.
Now one of Kangaroo Island’s most important community-led conservation efforts, the annual census saw 40 volunteers donate 238 hours of their time, working together with 48 private landholders and National Parks and Wildlife Service SA properties.
“Glossy Black-Cockatoos rely on us—quite literally—for their survival. They are a conservation-dependent species, and we simply couldn’t undertake an island-wide population count without the commitment of volunteers, landholders and partners across Kangaroo Island,” shared Kangaroo Island Landscape Board Biodiversity Unit Manager Karleah Berris.
“A minimum of 446 Glossies were recorded this year, which is only slightly lower than the counts from 2020 and 2023. Six years of post-fire data tell us that while the population growth we saw pre-fire has levelled off, the population has remained relatively stable since the 2020 bushfires. That’s encouraging news.”
Across the north coast and western regions of the island, fire-affected areas saw fewer breeding pairs and lower fledgling survival in recent years, likely influenced by reduced food availability following a very dry 12 months. Eastern Kangaroo Island continues to shine, though, as a standout success story with stronger breeding indicators and higher fledgling production.
One of the best moments from the 2025 count was the discovery of a flock of 51 Glossy Black-Cockatoos at Baudin Conservation Park in Penneshaw, the largest count ever recorded on the Dudley Peninsula. Paired with additional sightings nearby, the region has become a genuine stronghold for the species, driven by high-quality sheoak habitat and years of targeted restoration.
Since Glossies were first recorded breeding on the Dudley Peninsula in 2015, there’s been a remarkable increase in numbers. Between 1995 and 2000, just 44 birds were counted across eastern Kangaroo Island. In 2025, that figure has climbed to 144, proving what long-term investment in nest boxes, predator management and habitat protection can achieve. In areas lacking natural tree hollows, artificial nest boxes have played a critical role, with the eastern expansion growing as more boxes have been installed in key locations.
On-ground habitat restoration has also continued to build the species’ future. In mid-2025, 2,400 seedlings were planted at Lathami Conservation Park as part of a major Woodland Birds project, expanding foraging habitat for Glossy Black-Cockatoos and the endangered Western Beautiful Firetail. Locally grown plants from the Kangaroo Island Native Plant Nursery are already helping create food and shelter that will benefit woodland birds for years to come.
Looking ahead, projects planned for 2026 will focus on climate resilience, including “stepping stone” sheoak plantings to help connect flocks, and trialling insulated nest boxes in burnt landscapes to reduce heat stress during breeding.
As Glossy Black-Cockatoos begin to explore beyond Kangaroo Island, with males sighted on the Fleurieu and Yorke Peninsulas, their recovery is a positive step in the right direction.
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