There have been a number of reports this year of small groups flying low over the suburbs and feeding in gardens. I have seen groups feeding on Hakea seeds in an Ainslie garden and at the Botanic Gardens. It is possible that some birds
are ranging more widely to forage this year after much of their habitat in the ACT and south-eastern NSW was burnt in the summer fires.
They are expert at extracting seed from the woody Hakea fruits – grasp, twist and pull to get the fruit off the tree, hold it in one foot, take one bite to crack the capsule then quick manipulation to extract and shell the seed, then on
to the next fruit.
Alison R
From: mariko buszynski <>
Sent: Tuesday, 15 September 2020 4:52 PM
To: canberrabirds <>
Subject: [Canberrabirds] Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo
Yesterday one bird spent nearly one hour in our garden munching on Hakea's fruits. When I went to collect washing he glanced at me but continued to munch. I sometimes see them flying over our house but this is the first time one came
down to find food. Is there any food shortage?
