Understanding Gang-gang Cockatoo population decline

Brief discussion of Gang-gang cockatoo population decline. Due to our heavily altered environment, Gang-gangs have protein deficient diets, leading to their slow deaths, particularly during the harsh winter months. Gang-gang population decline has everything to do with food and diet, and nothing to do with climate change. In some other videos I have also briefly noted the similarities between Gang-gangs and NZ's endangered birds and parrots, namely their male dominated populations. NZ's endangered birds and parrots are predated by brushtail possums and mustelids during nesting, leading to male dominated populations, and a similar process might be occurring to the relatively small and vulnerable Gang-gang female during nesting.

[@MarkWol1]

I think what you are doing to help the species is absolutely brilliant.
I do hope that the Federal Government, NSW Government and local councils where this species once resided and where there are still small flocks help the community people committed to help this little gem and maybe I might see a flock flying around the Katoomba area again.

[@MarkWol1]

When I was a kid in the mid seventies living in the Katoomba Leura area of the Blue Mountains west of Sydney there were always relatively large flocks of Gang Gangs that would eat small red berries on a particular kind of shrub. I remember being fascinated by these gorgeous small cockatoos that you could walk up to within a foot or two. But because of this birds easy lay back attitude they were easy prey for cats, foxes and other introduced species. Also with the arrival of the white sulphur crested cockatoo due to droughts further West or from being released pets in the area, the Sulphur Crested cockatoo a much larger and aggressive cockatoo flourished and the Gang Gang had to compete for their traditional nesting habitats and eventually the Gang Gang lost that battle.
I still live in the Katoomba Leura area and I haven’t seen a Gang Gang in this area since the mid to late eighties or maybe the early nineties. I do know there are small flocks in other areas of the State which I hope are holding on but I haven’t seen one for probably 35/40 years. There’s even a short street in Katoomba named after this beautiful little bird but I guess like everything these days who really cares.

[@eaglesandfrogmouthstv2749]

Hi and thanks for your comments.
The Federal Government has changed the status of Gang-gangs to endangered, so there is growing recognition of their plight. In the area where I live we have male-dominated Gang-gang populations, which is a symptom of their demographic decline. My understanding is that this is due to a severe lack of natural food sources, which results in a general decline of health and increased mortality of the females, who have a harder, more rigorous life due to their egg-laying responsibilities.
(And hence I feed them, in my efforts to save the local population).
This symptom, of male-dominated populations, is also observed in other endangered cockatoo species who struggle with food supply, but the science of Gang-gang decline hasn't quite caught up with the science of other endangered cockatoos...yet....
I hope there are still some Gang-gangs hiding out there in your area somewhere, maybe there is some hope for them....but your report sounded very ominous :-(

[@KcTc344]

Keep up the good work brudda

[@JUMALATION1]

I'm so happy that you feed them! 🦜 They are so beautiful and cute and I would hate to see the population decline further because of us humans. Keep doing what you're doing! 💪

[@DarkSide-kg6fe]

Great work u doing there keep it up.

[@fernandocanelas7364]

👍💚🇵🇹