The palm cockatoo, Australia's largest parrot, is facing a housing crisis due to its specific nesting requirements. This endangered species, known for its striking smoky grey-black feathers, long crest, and vibrant red cheeks, is primarily found in the woodlands of Queensland's northern Cape York Peninsula. Palm cockatoos, affectionately called "Palmies," rely on tree hollows for nesting. However, it can take over 250 years for trees to grow large enough to create suitable hollows. These hollows are formed slowly by termites or fungi and can only be accessed after a cyclone breaks off the tree's top. With their habitat increasingly threatened by land clearing and wildfires, the conservation charity People For Wildlife is collaborating with an ecologist and traditional landowners to create more nesting opportunities for the palm cockatoos. They are currently testing three types of artificial nests on Apudthama Country, including wooden hollows carved from fallen trees and modular nest boxes made from resin. Executive Director Daniel Natusch explained that the initiative also involves enhancing existing hollows with the assistance of an arborist. "We're essentially speeding up the hollow-creation process, so widening these hollows and getting rid of the termite mud," he said. The group aims to introduce about 30 new hollows and will monitor their use over several years. Palm cockatoos have one of the lowest breeding success rates among parrot species, laying only one egg every two years. This low reproductive rate has contributed to their population decline, with estimates suggesting fewer than 2,000 remain in Australia. Dr. Natusch noted that while the cockatoos have not yet nested in the new hollows this breeding season, which runs from August to January, they have shown signs of interest, such as dropping sticks into the cavities. "They're curious but probably nervous at the start. We'll have more information hopefully come December," Dr. Natusch said. He added that understanding the birds' preferences for nesting will help in creating more suitable habitats. In Western Australia, similar efforts have successfully aided another endangered cockatoo species. The use of cylindrical nesting boxes, known as "cockatubes," has increased over the past 15 years, thanks to initiatives from the state's environment department. Former wildlife officer Rick Dawson manages about 400 of these tubes and described them as a "cockatoo Club Med." "Once we started putting up the artificial hollows, the birds pretty much took to it like ducks to water," Dawson said. He first installed a cockatube in 2011 at a breeding area for Carnaby's black cockatoo and has since expanded the site to include over 80 artificial hollows and 70 restored nests. Dawson reported a significant increase in nesting attempts, from 41 in 2009 to 147 recently. The Cape York project also includes building fire breaks around the nests and using cameras and sound recorders to monitor the birds. Dr. Natusch emphasized the need for long-term monitoring, stating, "The percentage of successful fledglings, or young birds, that come out of these hollows is low, relative to many other bird species, and no one really knows why." He expressed the importance of understanding the challenges faced by the young birds, including predation, flooding, and potential accidents caused by their parents. This project is one of five recipients of an Australian Geographic Society Award for Nature, highlighting its significance in conservation efforts for the palm cockatoo.