The Fire Bird has a job to do
I worked with Nani and Nature Play WA (as part of the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation, and Attractions) on this project, to write the story of the Red-Tailed Cockatoo as told to be my Tjalaminu Mia.
Hi! I’m Kaarak the Red-Tailed Black Cockatoo. I also go by Kaar, the Fire Bird! There are heaps of facts about me and my family that make us one of the most impressive birds in Western Australia. We have super strong beaks which come in handy at dinner time. We use them to break open hard gum tree seeds … delicious! My parents stay together forever, and Mum lays her eggs in the hollows of trees.
In Nyitting, the Dreaming, (that’s the time before people), we learned from each other by telling Stories. Hey, do you want to hear how I got my red tail?
Best friend birds
Kaarak and his best friend, Manitj, the White-Tailed Black Cockatoo, spent most of their time in the sky. They would fly as high as they could and then swoop back down like lazy feathers or rocket-fast gumnuts. One day, Manitj asked Kaarak what his job was amongst the animals.
The rules of the Waagul
Each animal had an important job to do, and everyone followed the rules of the Waagul, the Noongar Creator Snake. Manitj knew exactly what his job was. He was the Family Law Bird, helping families stay together for life. But, Kaarak had no idea what his job was!
Bringing light to Makuru
Makuru was a cold, wet, and dark time on the land. With so much darkness, it was hard for the animals to find their food and even their homes! Kaarak saw that the only light was coming from Meeka (the moon). So, he flew up to the moon, took the Kaarla (fire), and brought it back to the land.
The bringer of light
All the animals celebrated the new light! Kaarak had found his job amongst the animals—he was the Fire Bird, bringer of light!
Connecting to the Noongar Six Seasons
From Makuru to Djuran and every season in between, Kaarak connected with Noongar Boodjah (country), felt what the land needed, and brought the perfect amount of light from the moon. During Djilba, when the baby bird eggs were hatching, Kaarak was gentle with the light. He didn’t want it to be too bright or too dark for the new eggs.
Kaarak gets his red tail
One day, Mulal, the swamp hen, saw that it was hard to tell Kaarak apart from the other birds. So, when Kaarak flew past, Mulal threw red sap from a reed on his tail, where Kaarak became the bringer of light, with his bright red tail feathers!
