Ground parrot discovery in Australia

From Wildlife Extra:

Ground parrots spotted in New South Wales park for first time in 20 years

23/02/2010 11:09:51

Eastern ground parrots found in Limeburners Creek

February 2010. While the exact location remains secret, there has been some excitement after the announcement of the first solid evidence of Ground parrots in more than two decades in Limeburners Creek Nature Reserve, north of Port Macquarie, New South Wales.

Local wildlife consultant Bernard Whitehead and National Park Ranger James Baldwin sighted two of the normally elusive birds during a visit to Limeburners Creek Nature Reserve.

“We were even able to photograph one the birds before it disappeared into the heath,” Ranger Baldwin said.

“This is exciting news as it fills a major gap in the species’ distribution in NSW,” said James.

“Previously known populations were clustered between Evans Head and Corindi in Broadwater, Bundjalung and Yuraygir national parks,” he said. “Then there was a huge gap south to the next known populations in Barren Grounds and Budderoo National Park, near Wollongong, and other populations even further south around Jervis Bay. Although there was suitable habitat in this gap and strong indications that the birds were found in Limeburners Creek Nature Reserve, there was dated and limited evidence before now.”

One of just 3-4 ground parrots in the world

James added “The Ground parrot, one of only three ground-dwelling parrots in the world, rarely flies and mostly calls before sunrise and after sunset. As it is very unusual to see one we were both very excited to see two birds within a space of couple of kilometres.”

Vulnerable species

The Ground parrot is listed as a Vulnerable species under the Threatened Species Conservation Act in NSW, and has declined in abundance and extent throughout its range.

It is now restricted to isolated populations in coastal and near-coastal heathland and swamps and there is still only patchy knowledge of its current distribution and numbers.

Cat baits are being trialled in the latest bid to save Australia’s critically endangered Western ground parrot. Cats are thought to be the major factor in the parrot’s dramatic decline in numbers. The Western ground parrot is now only found in populations in the Fitzgerald River National Park (FRNP) and Cape Arid National Park on the south coast, with less than 140 of the parrots known to be alive, making it one of Australia’s most critically endangered species: here.

Highly endangered Western ground parrot to benefit from removal of feral cats: here.

American Bird Conservancy’s Mexican partner Pronatura Noreste is reporting another successful year for the Thick-billed Parrot nest box program: here.

Kaka: here. And here.

Related articles

• Saving African Grey and Timnah Parrots (dearkitty1.wordpress.com)
• Parrots Annoying Cats Compilation (disclose.tv)
• Parrots. (coollawal60.wordpress.com)
• Parrots Name Their Chicks (todayifoundout.com)
• Australian Endangered Species: Orange-Bellied Parrot (Op-Ed) (livescience.com)
• Australian endangered species: Orange-bellied Parrot (theconversation.com)