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The Magazine of the Spring 2015 Spring 2015 From the Director Joseph Campbell once wrote “A hero is someone who has given his or her life to Glanmor House, Hayle something bigger than oneself...”, a sentiment that well describes those who truly Cornwall TR27 4HB UK make a difference in the world. Once again you, our dedicated supporters, have www.parrots.org +44 (0)1736 751026 decisively answered our call to action to help save the parrots. It is heartening to see that parrots matter - to know that so many of you are CONTENTS compelled to take action for their preservation. To ‘Become a Parrot Hero’ (page 14) is important to a great many, and taking part in their conservation and welfare is a 2 From the desk of Steve Milpacher priority. It’s both humbling and inspiring to witness this outpouring of support, and compels us at the WPT to work all the harder to advocate for their wellbeing. 4 Orange-bellied Parrot Searching for Answers The need is great: more than 350 parrot species call the Earth home, and almost 7 “Parroting” in the Wild one-third of those are under increasing threat from trapping for the wildlife trade, Vocal Imitation in Conures and Galahs habitat loss and destruction, persecution, disease and introduced species. 12 The Standoff Grey Parrot vs. Grey Kestrel Over the decades it has been the Trust’s honour to advocate for the world’s most 14 WPT Donor Recognition vulnerable birds, a job which we perform earnestly at a time when there is much to February 2014 - February 2015 be serious about. 18 Postcards to the Flock Fun Aboard the Parrot Lover’s Cruise In this issue of PsittaScene we look at some of the great things being done for parrots, and with parrots - like understanding the nuances of parrot communication 21 Book Review Understanding Parrots: Cues from Nature in Australia and South America, and in Tasmania, where the Orange-bellied parrot fights quietly for its survival. We hope you are inspired by these stories. 22 PsittaNews Parrot News We at WPT consider you to be our closest allies and our partners in the fight for PsittaScene 2014 Index WPT Contacts parrots. Thank you for so many years of support, dedication and passion. 24 Parrots in the Wild Galah Steve Milpacher, Director of Operations Editor: Desi Milpacher Layout & Design: Michelle Kooistra Production: Karen Whitley The World Parrot Trust does not necessarily endorse ON OUR COVERS any views or statements made by contributors to PsittaScene. It will consider articles or letters from any contributors on their merits. Go to parrots.org/ FRONT Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster) rests at Melaleuca, South West publications for Guidelines. Anyone wishing to Tasmania. See Searching for Answers, page 4. © Chris Tzaros - Birds Bush and Beyond reprint PsittaScene articles in full or in part needs BACK Male Galah (Cacatua roseicapilla) in full display at Lake Joondalup, Perth, Western permission from the author/photographer(s) and Australia. See “Parroting” in the Wild, page 7. © Georgina Steytler - Wild & Endangered must state that it was copied from PsittaScene. All contents © World Parrot Trust Printed by Brewers — Part of the Martin Luck Group Tel: 01326 563424 Orange-bellied Parrot © Chris Tzaros Thirty years ago, winter counts in “ Victoria used to record 70-120 individuals. “ Now, sightings are rare... Orange-bellied Parrot— SEARCHING FOR ANSWERS, page 4 Spring 2015 PsittaScene 3 Orange-bellied Parrots foraging at a supplemental feeding table, Melaleuca, Tasmania Orange-bellied Parrot: Searching for Answers ARTICLE AND PHOTOS BY JONATHAN NEWMAN In the distance, the audible drone of a light aircraft carried towards me. I scanned the horizon, hoping that today was finally going to be the day. BAD WEATHER HAD MEANT DAYS OF of the group heading off on the long turquoise blue band across the forehead. cancelled flights; this was my last but popular hike that runs east from The males showed glowing orange belly chance to reach Melaleuca, home of the here through some remote and beautiful patches as they came in to land on the Critically Endangered Orange-bellied forests. I however had other plans and conveniently provided perches. For Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster). The drone followed one of the volunteers to a several hours, I watched entranced as turned into a dot, and then into a small small hide where supplementary feeding they pottered about, gently squabbling. plane, which came in to land on the tiny is provided for one of the world’s rarest Bruny Island airstrip. I scrambled aboard parrots. I eased myself in and raised my It is sobering to think that those half and we were off on the hour-long flight binoculars – and there they were. dozen or so birds represent such a over the majestic scenery of Tasmania’s significant percentage of the world south coast. Melaleuca’s airstrip was even Half a dozen Orange-bellied Parrots population. Orange-bellied Parrots tinier and was as wild and spectacular as were sitting on the table eating the have been in serious decline for many I had hoped; wet coastal heathland with sprouting seed. They were stunningly years. In the 1900s, flocks of thousands large expanses of bare boggy ground beautiful, neat and compact little parrots occurred, ranging as far east as Sydney. and ferns. We disembarked, with some in a mossy shade of green, with a neat The species is now confined as breeding 4 PsittaScene Spring 2015 Birds searching for food in the sedges and grasses at Melaleuca birds to this one area of the Southwest wintering areas that do remain and between 1999 and 2009 and wild National Park. Incredibly, they spend introduced European finches compete breeding occurred. However, both the austral winter much further north on for food with the parrots. On the nest productivity and the number of saltmarshes in coastal Victoria, returning breeding grounds, competition for nest returning birds each following spring to breed at Melaleuca each October. sites with introduced Starlings (Sturnus were both so low that the reintroduction Each year, fewer return to Tasmania. vulgaris) is a major problem. The main scheme was abandoned. In 2013, only 19 wild birds remained. migration stopover site on King Island Such a tiny population is at enormous is protected, but lights are thought to For now therefore, the future of the risk of extinction and if the birds go be a problem for these birds as they are species lies with Melaleuca. Even from Melaleuca, then there will be no nocturnal migrants. Disease is also a here, the species is struggling but the wild Orange-bellieds anywhere. threat. The species is in serious trouble. volunteers are doing everything they can to prevent the loss of this iconic The threats, as so often, are many and So what is the answer? Statistical bird. Every day, researchers put out varied. The coastal saltmarshes where modelling suggests that the Orange- carefully measured amounts of sprouted these birds used to winter have largely bellied Parrot will be extinct within seed at bird tables. The amount used been reclaimed and developed and there five years at current trends. How can is designed to encourage parrots to are few areas now on the mainland we prevent the loss of such a stunning visit, while still requiring them to feed where you can hope to see the species. bird? The challenges are severe and the naturally. By getting the birds close to solutions difficult. That does not mean the hides, researchers record individuals Thirty years ago, winter counts extinction is inevitable. by number and sex. A large percentage in Victoria used to record 70-120 of the population is colour ringed, individuals. Now, sightings are rare and There are over 300 birds in captivity. enabling detailed data to be obtained. in 2014 totalled just 6-10 birds. New Increased breeding success amongst Nest boxes are eagerly adopted by the plans for expansion at Port Philip, these birds produced enough individuals parrots and so breeding success can also one of the most important remaining to enable a reintroduction attempt at be measured. During my visit, a pair was sites, threaten the species further. Birch Inlet near Melaleuca, where a using a nest box right by the main hide Overgrazing by stock and introduced second population bred historically. and the male could be seen visiting to rabbits has led to erosion in the few Over 400 birds were released feed his mate. Spring 2015 PsittaScene 5 (Top left) The author, Jonathan Newman (Top right) Making use of the many nest boxes provided “ ...if the birds go from Melaleuca then there will be no wild Orange-bellieds anywhere. Unfortunately, the main challenge is much harder to address. The mainland saltmarshes beloved of this parrot during winter are in one of the most densely“ populated parts of Australia. As Melbourne About the Project continues to expand, the pressures increase. It is difficult to see how A recovery team for the Orange-bellied the area of wintering habitat can be increased significantly, but the Parrot was first established in 1980. quality of what is left can be improved. Fencing to exclude grazers, Individuals are being bred in captive coupled with implementation of the ideal fire regime can improve breeding programs in Taroona, Tasmania, the habitat significantly. A detailed national action plan has been Healesville Sanctuary, Adelaide Zoo, produced addressing these issues. Melbourne Zoo, Halls Gap Zoo and the Priam Parrot Breeding Centre. WPT supported the program in 2002. Despite conservation attempts, numbers continue to fall. In 2013, with just 19 wild birds remaining, the decision was made to release 23 captive bred birds.