Creating Black Cockatoo Friendly Suburbs is a non-fiction book written by Christine Groom. It is dedicated to help understand Western Australia’s iconic Carnaby’s Cockatoo. In this interview with UWAP intern Samantha Hearn, Groom discusses her interest in the species and the research behind writing a non-fiction book.
Christine Groom is a member of Birdlife Australia. She is also an Adjunct Research Fellow at the University of Western Australia. Christine lives in the Perth hills and Carnaby’s cockatoos regularly visit her garden to feed on and prune the banksias and hakeas planted for them. In 2015, Christine completed her PhD on Carnaby’s cockatoos in urban Perth by satellite tracking study birds and following their daily movements and in 2020, Christine was awarded a Diploma of Landscape Design. Author photo credit: Roger Groom.
How did you become interested in the Black Cockatoo? Are they of significant importance to you?
Carnaby’s cockatoos have always been part of the place I call home. They are part of the sights and sounds that contribute to a sense of place and knowledge that this is where I grew up.
I was fortunate in having the opportunity to study them for my PhD which has deepened my connection. By tracking the birds and spending many many hours in the field I have had opportunities to observe them closely, developing a better understanding of their different calls and behaviours.
Why did you decide to write a book dedicated to the Black Cockatoo?
I wanted to share the knowledge I gained from studying Carnaby’s cockatoo for my PhD. My PhD focused on the Carnaby’s Cockatoo in our urban environment. I attached tracking devices to the cockatoos and followed them through the urban environment to learn where they roosted, foraged, drank and how they moved through the landscape. My study birds took me to lovely urban green spaces I would never have discovered on my own. My mind map of Perth is now populated with the experiences I had following and observing cockatoos.
I feel privileged to have gained this insight into their lives. Through writing my book I want to advocate for them because the things that they need in the landscape are what makes it a nice place for people too. A greener and shadier landscape with mature trees is so important for the cockatoos and for our own well being. It is also increasingly important with our summers getting hotter and drier through climate change. Greening our suburbs is something we can all take part in doing to make a difference.
Credit Christine Groom
What research did the book require? Do your prior journal articles and doctorate aid with the research process?
The research for my book involved building on what I learned during my PhD. It was important to incorporate new information and the latest research findings. Through working in various conservation related roles I learned how scientific knowledge about black cockatoos can be applied in different situations and I gathered photos of examples to illustrate my book.
Since completing my PhD I have worked in state government, in academia, for local government and as an environmental consultant. I have designed a cockatoo food garden, and a native bird oasis. I have also explored creative ways to engage the community by flying Carnaby’s cockatoo kites at Sculpture by the Sea in Cottesloe and giving numerous talks for community groups. I even studied for and was awarded a Diploma of Landscape Design in order to explore what designers of gardens and public spaces might need to know to include black cockatoo friendly elements into their designs.
The book represents the accumulation of knowledge gained from a career in conservation and a passion for sharing that information. The collation of information from many sources and presenting it in a format that enables it to be easily used for on-ground actions is a real strength of my book. Science communication is often under-valued but is actually really important. I knew that the publication of my thesis and journal articles when I finished my PhD wasn’t going to be enough. I needed to find other ways to communicate my findings if they were really going to make a difference. Writing my book has been a long-term project but hopefully the end result is something a wide variety of people can engage with.
Is the book intended to be a series with ongoing research? If so, are you working on anything currently?
Further tracking studies have continued and have built on my research. PhD students at Murdoch University have been tracking forest-red-tailed black cockatoos and Baudin’s cockatoos as well as Carnaby’s cockatoos throughout the south-west of WA. They have put tracking devices on adults caught at nest hollows which is giving us valuable information about where they go to forage around nest sites. It is great to see the research continuing.
At the moment I am working in state government and I am focussed on influencing government policy to achieve better outcomes for black cockatoos and biodiversity in urban landscapes. This is challenging but important. The urban landscape is tricky with so many land managers and competing interests. Fortunately, the value of urban greening in combatting urban heat island effect and for human wellbeing is gaining recognition and this provides the opportunity to undertake planting of species which can also benefit Carnaby’s cockatoo.
Credit Christine Groom
Did you encounter anything that surprised you when writing or researching the Black Cockatoo? If so, can you elaborate on what and why?
It has surprised me that very nearly everyone that I ever speak to about my PhD or my book has a story to tell about Carnaby’s cockatoos. These birds are such an iconic species. People have encountered them feeding in their garden, covering their car in feeding debris, and so many other stories. This is actually a really good thing because it opens conversations and helps people really engage because they have had a personal experience.
What do you hope readers will take away from this book?
I hope readers will feel empowered and inspired that they can do something to help these birds and people too.
Samantha Hearn is a Curtin University student who is in her final semester of postgraduate studies, completing an MA of Arts, majoring in Professional Writing and Publishing. She has a love for reading, writing and literature (specifically in the fiction genres) and has a passion to work within the publishing industry.