Cowra wildlife photographer, Jayden Gunn, is on a mission to 'raise awareness of Cowra's Glossy Black Cockatoo population through shooting digital film footage of the endangered birds then posting his photos on Mid-Lachlan Landcare's Facebook page.
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Gunn says the Glossy Blacks are at risk of extinction due to their strict dietary requirements.
They are very selective feeders and a key to preserving Cowra's local population is to grow more 'Allocasuarina Diminuta', a member of the She Oak tree family.
Nicknamed "the Casuarina cockatoo" these birds nest in the hollows of large old gum trees.
Their nesting sites are under pressure from storms blowing trees over and also from some forms of land clearing and firewood collection.
"Dead standing timber has a value to our biodiversity. It is sad when people can protect it but choose not to," Gunn said.
"Young Glossies are mostly black with a striking red and yellow bared tail and faint yellow spots on their face and wings.
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"As they mature their spots generally fade but some females retain their spots.
"Male Glossy tails become bright red with maturity, losing their stripes to acquire solid red panels that they use in their breeding display which consists of a unique call in conjunction with a proud short walk topped off by little jump and a flash of those miraculous red bars.
"The Glossy black cockatoo is truly a jewel in our region's crown."
