At least 85 endangered black cockatoos have been killed on West Australian roads in the past two months, prompting a warning for motorists to take care.
Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) senior wildlife officer Rick Dawson said the birds had been struck by vehicles on the South Coast Highway from Cheyne Beach Road to Wellstead, Chester Pass Road in Stirling Range National Park, and Albany.
"At this time of year after the first rains, black cockatoos congregate in flocks by the side of the road to feed and drink," he said.
"As a large-winged bird, black cockatoos usually take off into the wind, often putting them in the path of vehicles and making them vulnerable to vehicle strike."
Motorists are being advised to slow down when they see black cockatoos near the road and approach with caution.
"They are often encountered feeding on the shoulders or verges of country roads where they are attracted by spilled canola seed and other germinating grains from passing grain trucks," Mr Dawson said.
Carnaby's, Baudin's and forest red-tailed black cockatoos were all endangered, so preventable deaths were a blow to the survival prospects of the species, he said.
