SIZE AND AGE PARAMETERS OF NEST TREES USED BY 4 SPECIES OF PARROT ANDONE SPECIES OF COCKATOO IN SOUTH-WEST AUSTRALIA

The size and health of hollow-bearing eucalypts successfully used by f our species of parrot and one species of cockatoo in the south-west of Western Australia are described. The estimated age of these nest tree s based on known growth rates is given and ranged from 73 years to ove r 1300 years. The lowest average estimated age of nest trees recorded for any of the parrot species was 275 years, and 446 years for the coc katoo species. In view of current timber production strategies and man agement policies for remnants of native vegetation there is a real pos sibility that nest hollows may be in limited supply in some areas in t he near future. To ensure a continued supply of nest hollows for parro ts it will be necessary to modify existing timber production strategie s in forests, develop new strategies for managing isolated remnants, u ndertake research into the value of artificial nest hollows to supplem ent dwindling supplies, and encourage further community involvement in the management of small remnants of native vegetation.