Current view: Text account
Site description (2008 baseline):
Site location and context
The Coomallo IBA supports at least 1% of the breeding population of Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo, with nesting trees and feeding habitat distributed over a number of tenures including private property, Coomallo Creek Nature Reserve and Badgingarra National Park. The IBA boundaries are defined by known areas of suitable nesting and associated feeding habitat. The population of Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo at this IBA is one of the longest studied. Food resources for breeding birds include proteaceous plants in native kwongan heath and the seeds of weed species such as wild radish and wild geranium. The IBA consists of all suitable native vegetation and isolated nesting trees within the identified area. Pasture, crops, non-native plants and weed populations are not included in the IBA. The area has a Mediterranean climate.
The vulnerable Malleefowl has been recorded in the area but is not a breeding resident of this IBA.
Pressure/threats to key biodiversity
Exclusion of stock and native herbivores by fencing and weed control around nesting trees and in native vegetation to promote regeneration. Nest hollow repair and nest competitor control. Planting appropriate native food plant species near nesting areas.
Conservation responses/actions for key biodiversity
A long term, although not continuous, study of Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo has been underway in the Coomallo IBA. The Birds Australia Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo Recovery Project actively works with private landholders to manage and protect the species on private land. Most vegetation critical for nesting birds has been fenced utilising public funding. Nest hollow repairs have been undertaken as part of a broader nest hollow repair initiative for Carnaby's Black-Cocaktoo recovery.
The IBA overlaps with two protected areas.
Private ownership (three landholders) and Department of Environment and Conservation.
Site access / Land-owner requests
Contact Birds Australia WA Carnaby's Black-Cockatoo Recovery Project for access details related to private land.
Cheryl Gole (WWF-Australia and Birds Australia Western Australia) and Dejan Stevanovic (Birds Australia) prepared the nomination. Kellie Mantle, Rick Dawson and Peter Mawson (Department of Environment and Conservation) kindly provided mapping assistance, data and comments. Private landholders provided support and information.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Important Bird Area factsheet: Coomallo (Australia). Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/site/factsheet/coomallo-iba-australia on 22/12/2024.
