From Field and Study: Use of an artificial nest box by Galahs Cacatua roseicapilla

2008·0.48 MB·English

by  Simon Cherriman

FROM FIELD AND STUDY
Use of an artificial nest box by of the nest area was heightened
Galahs Cacatuu roseicapillu - In at this time and the male
March 2007 an artificial nest box screeched and flew aggressively
was placed in a mature Lemon- at any birds that landed within a
scented Gum Eucalyptus citriodora 10 m radius of the nest box.
at a height of approximately 8 Screeching continued after the
metres, at a private property in intruding bird had left the area
Parkerville east of Perth. The box which sometimes caused the
was 0.4 m deep with an entrance female to emerge from the nest
hollow measuring 100 box.
millimetres.
An inspection in early October
During April a pair of Galahs revealed the three eggs to be
took up residence and were gone, however both Galahs
observed for several months remained in the vicinity of the
entering the nest box, chewing nest box each day and
the edges of the entrance hollow, continued lining the inside with
and occasionally carrying fresh fresh leaves. A second clutch of
eucalypt sprigs into the box. three eggs was laid in late
They usually defended the nest October and again incubation
site from other birds including commenced, with parental
other Galahs, Ringneck Parrots behaviour similar to those
Barnardius zonarius and described above noted.
Kookaburras Dacelo novaeguincae,
On 18 November both adult
by flying at them, but occasi¬
Galahs showed increased
onally other birds landed and
activity, entering and exiting the
entered the box without raising
nest box repeatedly throughout
the Galahs’ attention.
the morning. An inspection
In late August the Galahs’ nest¬ revealed two of the three eggs
lining activity increased, and by had hatched, and both hatch¬
early September four eggs were lings were blind, helpless and
laid on a bed of eucalypt leaves covered in pale pink natal down.
in one corner of the nest box, By 21 November the third chick
with incubation beginning after had hatched, and was substanti¬
laying of the first egg. Several ally smaller than its two siblings.
days later only three eggs were The female brooded the chicks
observed in the nest box. By late for much of the first four days,
September, incubation appeared with the male returning to the
to be well underway. The female nest box several times each day
Galah did most of the to apparently feed the young.
incubating, during which time Interestingly the adults placed
the male perched in the nest tree the egg shells at one corner of the
above the nest or in a tree nest but did not remove them
adjacent to the nest tree. Defence from the nest box.
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On 6 December the Galahs were On 9 December both adult
still observed in the nest tree, but Galahs continued to be observed
their activity near the nest had at the nest box and roosted in
decreased and it was found that the nest tree that evening. On 10
two chicks were dead in the nest December one adult carried a
box. Both chicks were removed: fresh eucalypt sprig into the box.
the largest chick was about 200 It is interesting that despite
mm long, had its eyes open, and successive nesting failures, the
well developed feather pins on Galahs remained at their chosen
its wings and back; it appeared to nest site. This pair was possibly
have died on 4 or 5 December. newly established and limited
The second chick was half the breeding experience caused their
size of the first, had some feather unsuccessful nesting attempts.
pins on its wings, and was in a Further observations will reveal
state of decomposition that if they remain loyal to this nest
indicated its death occurred at site and whether they are able to
the end of November. The third breed in it successfully.
chick was absent and it probably - SIMON CHERRIMAN, 180
died in the very early stages of its Glendower Street, Parkerville.
nest life. WA 6081.
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