Orange bellied parrot (Neophema chrysogaster)

Emma Hines

What they look like?

The orange bellied parrot is a small bird around 20cm long. The male parrot is a bright green colour with yellow face and a bright orange belly, while the female is a very dull green colour.

Food and predators

The orange bellied parrot eats seeds and berries that come from small coastal grasses and shrubs. Its main predators and threats it needs to look our for are cats and foxes

Behaviour and reproduction the orange bellied parrot is found in small flocks or pairs, and usually remains on the ground or close to it to search for food. The breeding season for the parrot is October to January in south west Tasmania where they nest in a hollow tree less than 5m above the ground. Each season a female will lay four or five eggs, to raise for the season.

Where does it live?The orange bellied parrot is endemic to southern Australia. The parrots breed in Tasmania from October to January then the entire population migrate to the southern coast of the mainland of Australia. They then live in areas like saltmarshes, shore heathlands, and low scrublands with grassy areas.

Threats Loss of winter habitat More birds to compete with for food Random events can effect the population because of its

small size Confusions of way when migrating across bass straight

because of brightly lit fishing boats Introduced predators Disease Lack of safety in numbers from predators Climate change They are also at risk from inbreeding because of the

little genetic=c diversity

What's being done? Regular counts happen during winter because the birds are less active. Over the past twelve years two recovery plans have been put in place for the parrot, which are funded by the Australian nature conservation agency. The plans include: Protection of existing habitat from destruction and harmful

development Protection of birds from predators Management of habitat ensuring plenty of food resources

are available Managing other suitable habitats for the expanding

population Establishment of a captive breeding and release

programme to boost wild population

Recovery program

The orange bellied parrot is nearly extinct and has been ranked one of the worlds most endangered and rare species, listed as critically endangered. As of late 2013 there were less than 50 of these birds left in the wild and only 300 left in captivity. In 2011 21 new birds were captured and put in captivity to improve the captive flocks genetic diversity and spread new genes. In 2012 19 or the new birds had produced new eggs and 31 new birds hatched. It is now hoped that having such a large captive population, that these birds will be able to increase there population quickly.

References http://prelive.themercury.com.au/article/

2012/09/06/359221_tasmania-news.html http://chrissteelesbirding.blogspot.com.au/

2012/10/allsorts-highlights-of-past-month.html http://www.parks.tas.gov.au/indeX.aspX?

base=5136 http://theconversation.com/australian-

endangered-species-orange-bellied-parrot-20777 http://farm5.static.flickr.com/

4101/4925378903_be132fa0da.jpg