Australian Endangered Cockatoo Ranks Among the Longest-Lived Birds Globally

Sydney, Nov 28 (NationPress) An endangered species of cockatoo, native to the southwest region of Australia, has been identified as one of the longest-living bird species worldwide, according to recent research.

The study, published in the Pacific Conservation Biology on Thursday, revealed that Carnaby's cockatoos can live for as long as 35 years in their natural habitat, as reported by Xinhua news agency.

Carnaby's cockatoo, a large black cockatoo, is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia (WA) and has held the status of an endangered species since 1999.

The research team from the WA Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions studied eight live birds, comprising five females and three males. Their ages varied from 21 to 35 years.

This positions the species within the top 2 percent of all wild birds globally regarding lifespan.

The oldest bird, a male, was documented by the researchers in 2021 and was identified by a leg band placed on it in November 1986.

'This sighting marked the first observation of the cockatoo since the breeding season in 1986, during which it fledged from a nest hollow located 5.7 kilometers from the photographed site,' the study stated.

'It was estimated to have hatched on September 24, 1986, making it 35 years old at the time of the photograph. This represents the oldest recorded living Carnaby's cockatoo in the wild.'

At the time of their documentation, all eight studied birds were still engaged in breeding activities.

The 35-year-old cockatoo had traveled the farthest from its birthplace, while the other seven remained within 2.5 kilometers.

The researchers emphasized that their findings indicate a need for conservation efforts to concentrate on older adults, in addition to juveniles.

They asserted that for the species' sustainable survival, it is crucial for adults to reach their full lifespan and continue breeding.

Carnaby's cockatoos have a low reproductive rate, with females generally laying only two eggs each year and successfully fledging one hatchling. Moreover, juveniles face low survival rates in the wild—traits that researchers noted are also evident in other long-lived bird species like albatrosses and petrels.