It was all a bit exciting this week with Sean Blocksidge of Margaret River Discovery Co managing to get some fantastic photos of a super rare leucistic Baudin’s black cockatoo on the farm. She, along with the rest of the flock of around 50 or so can be heard and seen on the farm most early mornings and late afternoons at the moment, although any day now they will make their journey inland for the winter. It has been such a treat to have them around.
The photos above and text below are all Sean’s, taken from the Margaret River Discovery Co Facebook page…
Soooooo ridiculously excited to share these pics!
I’ve been hearing about this bird for at least two years. Little breadcrumbs from friends…
“She was spotted near the Karri trees near the footy oval”
“Try early morning near Boranup ridge.”
“Someone saw her with a flock at Cape Mentelle just last week…”
So of course I’d head out. Dawn missions. Early-evening wanders. Always just missed her. She stayed elusive .
Until last night. I get a call from Soph and Dan at Gathered Organics :
“She’s here. In the vineyard. With a whole crew!”
I dropped everything and was there in a flash. And sure enough—there she was.
Not just any bird. A female Baudin’s Black Cockatoo.
One of the most endangered birds on the planet.
And even rarer—she’s leucistic.
Like spotting a Unicorn. With wings!
That means she carries a genetic mutation that reduces pigment in her feathers, giving her this stunning pale, patchy coloration. It’s not subtle. It’s striking. She stands out massively from the rest of the flock.
I spent 45 amazing minutes with her—watching her fly through the vines and bush, nibble on leftover grapes, drink from the rain, and just… be.
And, turns out, she’s got a partner. The two of them were completely locked in: preening each other, clashing/pashing beaks, moving as a proper little pair .
I took a bunch of photos in the fading light, but here are a few favs—showing off that incredible contrast, some flight, some quiet moments, and maybe even a glimpse of that bond they share.
Huge thanks to Soph, Dan, Sarina and Jinni for helping make this sighting finally happen. What a privilege to meet her.
Baudin’s Black Cockatoos are critically endangered, and seeing one is always special. But seeing her? Unreal.
The following recipe from The good farm cookbook is so easy and almost all the ingredients can be sourced from Gathered. With lime, coriander, eggs, onion, garlic, chilli and capsicum available over the coming week.
New season, certified organic Pink Lady apples arrived last week from Perth.
