All birds, including our precious black cockatoos, need water to survive, especially during hot weather. Without enough water, they can die from heat stress. In Perth, it is hard for black cockatoos to find enough clean, fresh water and the risks will only increase in a warming climate.
Birds prefer to drink from shallow water. They will drink out of ponds, water troughs and garden bird baths, so if you have water sources, make sure they are regularly topped up with clean fresh water. Keep water sources away from high-risk areas such as roads or areas accessible to dogs.
Did you know? The Town of Vic Park has developed an innovative bird waterer designed specifically to provide clean water to our flying friends.
The Cockitrough has several shallow-water drinking platforms, self-flushing to keep water clean, and high off the ground to protect birds from cats and dogs. To help black cockatoos, Cockitroughs should be installed close to areas where black cockatoos roost or feed, with surrounding trees for them to shelter in. Have you seen one in your suburb?
Top tips to help birds and black cockatoos to access water in a heatwave:
- Install a bird bath: You can put a bird bath in your garden to provide a place for black cockatoos to drink. A large clam shell filled with water or a range of shallow buckets works just as well as a purpose designed bird bath.
- Install a watering station: You can install a watering station with troughs and perches to provide a safe place for black cockatoos to drink like the Cockitrough.
- Plant more trees: Densely planted trees and healthy balanced ecosystems retain water more efficiently than dry, barren spaces.
Image credit: Georgina Wilson
Find out more about our campaign to plant more trees for black cockatoos.