Tag: photography

Red-tailed black cockatoos 

by Tom Kristensen

Australia is home to a greater diversity of bird species than anywhere else in the world, given the bird count of the island continent includes seabirds from the Antarctic south to the tropical north. There are about 850 terrestrial species that inhabit landscapes ranging from the arid interior to cool towering eucalypt forests. About 400 bird species are only found in Australia. 

The diversity of birds has evolved in concert  with the changing extremes of wet and dry seasons along with cyclical droughts, fires and flooding rains. Rolling changes in living conditions selects for animals that are tough enough to cope with boom and bust but also specialised in exploiting unique circumstances. Speciation, the evolution of new species, occurs where populations are geographically divided as happens when conditions become too extreme. 

During periods of separation populations may drift apart as genes change and mates prefer different sexual characteristics, such as feather patterns. White feathers may appeal to some where black feathers are preferred by others. This process known as mate selection is a mystery that drives much animal biology as aesthetics of sound and colour are employed to induce pleasure and impress others. 

All of this is to explain why Australia has not only white cockatoos but also also black cockatoos. Further still,  there are five distinct species of black cockatoos with a larger number of recognised sub species. Each population has distinct plumage which appeals to mates as well as to people who are equally fascinated by beautiful form and colour. 

Attractive feathers have long been collected and used as ornamentation and there exists today a  lucrative on-line market in coloured feathers. It is possible to purchase individual flight feathers of red-tailed black cockatoos for $75 a piece or the whole bird for $1000. While trading in protected wildlife is prohibited there are exemptions made for feathers. 

An argument exists that conservation can be funded by allowing trophy hunting and encouraging the growth of collections. The problems of a market driven approach to conservation are obvious, as rare specimens become more desirable they increase in value and attract more attention from collectors. Increasing value creates increasing pressure on wild populations and growth of a black market. 

The trade in animal parts continues to be a major driver of population decline in endangered animals. Hunting for koala pelts in the early 20th century set the  backdrop of the current divide in attitudes to exploiting wildlife as a resource. Legislation designed to protect wildlife is only as effective as the will to enforce any red lines.  Economic carve-outs and loopholes are many and varied, all are tilted towards gains for people not for wildlife. The end of killing koalas for money was brought about by a total ban on trading in koala skins. 

The first listed death of an environmental activist known as an “environmental killing” occurred in 1905 when Guy Bradley employed as  the lone game warden in the wetlands of   Florida was shot dead by poachers. Having previously worked as a guide for hunters Guy had decided to instead uphold conservation legislation protecting declining bird populations. The poachers were hunting egrets to remove their lacy plumes used to adorn fancy hats popular at the time.  

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