WHY THE GLOSSY BLACK COCKATOO IS SO SPECIAL TO INDIGENOUS AUSTRALIANS

With its midnight black feathers and brilliant red tail band, the glossy black cockatoo cuts a striking figure as it soars over eastern Australian forests.

The glossy black cockatoo's deep connections to Country

To many Indigenous groups across this vast region, the appearance of these unique birds is far more than a simple wildlife encounter. It's a cultural experience rich with tradition, symbolic meaning and deep connections to Country.

Glossy black cockatoos carry deep cultural significance for Aboriginal Australians. This beloved species features heavily in songlines, Dreaming stories and is a vital part of many language groups’ Traditional Ecological Knowledge. As just one example, the town of Nowra is named after the Yuin name for black cockatoo. Mount Cambewarra is the site of the black cockatoo’s Creation story, where a white cockatoo flew over a major bushfire and turned black.

Dreamtime stories and belief systems of many First Nations language groups regard the glossy black as a powerful protector, its very presence shielding people from harm. This perception stems from the bird's loud, raucous alarm calls that alert others to potential threats lurking nearby. To Indigenous Australians, the glossy black's vocal warnings represent an ancient voice of the forest keeping watch.

Artist Statement:

“‘Biliirrgan’ is the Gumbaynggirr name for the glossy black cockatoo. This image captures Bilirrgan’s resilience and strength with overcoming the devastation of the most recent bushfires, as she stands strong with pride.” - Fileisha Laurie, Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Kalkadoon artist.

For the Butchulla people of K'gari (Fraser Island) and the adjacent Queensland mainland, the glossy black cockatoo is revered as a spiritual messenger. Its call - a haunting, wail-like cry - is believed to convey news or omens from the spirit world. When Butchulla people hear these vocals ring out, traditional lore instructs them to respectfully pause and receive the message through quiet listening and contemplation.

The cultural significance of what the glossy black cockatoo eats

The feeding habits of these cockatoos have also shaped cultural perspectives and traditions. 

With their massive, hook-tipped beaks capable of demolishing even the toughest seed cones, glossy blacks were long seen as providers of sustenance. By following their movements and foraging patterns, Aboriginal groups could reliably locate fresh plant foods during lean times.  

Artist's Statement:

“This image depicts the food source of Biliirrgan, that being she-oak trees and, of course, the importance of a water source. With this, creating a sustainable environment. By incorporating Traditional Knowledge and modern conservation strategies, we can create a balanced environment where they can flourish.” - Fileisha Laurie, Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Kalkadoon artist. LOVE THIS ARTWORK?

The glossy black cockatoo is a symbolic ‘mother’ figure in some Dreamtime narratives

This vital ecological role contributes to the glossy black's depiction as a symbolic ‘mother’ figure in some Dreamtime narratives. The cockatoos lay only a single egg per nesting attempt, with the hatched chick representing a powerful regenerative force. The mother's task of carefully selecting ideal hollow tree nests and nurturing her offspring until they can fly freely evokes an intimate connection between the birds and the rejuvenation of Country itself.

Beyond their spiritual significance, the glossy black cockatoo's physical traits have been woven into Indigenous art, dance, and dress across Australia for millennia. The birds' sleek black feathers were traditionally used to adorn the body and craft sacred objects. Some of the earliest discovered examples of human decorations and designs feature glossy black cockatoo feathers as a primary material.

Today, Aboriginal artists pay tribute to these iconic birds through paintings, weavings, dances and more. The glossy black's elegant form remains an enduring muse and symbolic anchor tying ancient beliefs to contemporary Aboriginal cultural expression.  

Artist Statement:

“This image expresses Bilirrgan's relationship with Gumbaynggirr Sky Country and the beauty found within this element, their relationship with Gumbaynggirr Sky Country is one of deep reverence and cultural connection; making them a rare and unique beauty to this part of the world.” - Fileisha Laurie, Gumbaynggirr, Bundjalung and Kalkadoon artist.

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Protecting a priceless cultural touchstone for Indigenous communities

Despite their profound cultural value, glossy black cockatoo populations face mounting threats driven by habitat loss, drought, and fires worsened by climate change. With old-growth forest hollows required for nesting, the birds are intimately impacted by deforestation and degradation of their woodland homes.

By protecting glossy black cockatoos, we're not just preserving an essential animal. We're safeguarding a priceless cultural touchstone for Indigenous communities – a feathered vessel carrying the songlines, Dreamtime wisdom, and ancestral connection to Country for Australia's First Peoples.  

At WWF-Australia, we believe it is vital to protect glossy black cockatoo habitat through advocacy, on-ground conservation, and sustainability projects. All Australians deserve to see and hear these iconic birds soaring freely, as they have for over 60,000 years of continuous Indigenous custodianship of this precious land. Join us in protecting glossy blacks and the irreplaceable culture they embody.

Glossy black cockatoos are cheeky birds who love to make noise. They rely on big, old eucalypt trees to build their nests in. Sadly, their habitat is being cleared at a terrifying rate. You can help plant and protect the trees that our precious glossies depend on for food and shelter.

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