Canberrans are again being reminded of the best ways to prevent the spread of a potentially lethal disease that affects parrot species including the much-loved gang-gang cockatoo.
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Last week in Rivett, the Sunday Canberra Times photographed a different species of cockatoo. ACT government senior environmental planner Dr Michael Mulvaney said the bird pictured appeared to be suffering from beak and feather disease.
Dr Mulvaney said there had been "about four to six" reports of birds with beak and feather disease in the ACT in the past year, but not all cases were known so it was likely other birds were also affected.
"Sulphur crested cockatoos seem to be the most vulnerable of our local species to the disease," he said.
"The disease is caused by a virus and its effects are most noticeable in birds about six to 12 months old.
"Most birds born in the spring, summer and autumn of last season will be coming into this age range about now, so we can expect more sightings from now on.
"Many birds carry the virus without visual symptoms."
At least one breeding gang-gang in the ACT had beak and feather disease last season, but Dr Mulvaney said it had resisted the infection and no signs of the disease were visible in its two chicks.
The signs of beak and feather disease can include loss of feathers or feather abnormalities, and beak abnormalities.
The disease is highly likely to kill birds that contract it, causing them to go bald and die because of a lack of thermal regulation.
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"It is picked up via contact by a bird with another infected bird or via faeces and feather dust," Dr Mulvaney said.
"It is best not to feed local birds, but if so, maintaining clean feeding areas and regularly changing the water in bird baths are ways to reduce the risk of the infection being spread."
The reminder comes as the ACT government calls for volunteers to continue the local gang-gang breeding survey, which will enhance its ability to manage and conserve the cockatoo species.
Authorities were previously aware of only four gang-gang breeding hollows, but last season's survey identified 67 likely nesting trees. They were largely clustered between Red Hill and Hughes, Majura and Mount Ainslie, the Australian National University and the Australian National Botanic Gardens, and Gossan Hill and Aranda.
So far, 26 people have signed up to observe possible nest hollows in 2019-20, while a group of Australian National University students will also participate.
In June, the Sunday Canberra Times revealed researchers from Charles Sturt University were hopeful that after about 20 years working on the first beak and feather disease vaccine, they would be able to have it approved for use by veterinarians within a year.
- People interested in volunteering to take part in this year's gang-gang breeding survey are asked to email michael.mulvaney@act.gov.au or chris_davey@aapt.net.au