Does anyone know where I can find current information on the conservation efforts on the Orange-bellied parrot (Neophema chrysogaster). There are a lot of articles on the species, but nothing on the status of the in-situ breeding programme (like how many birds were bred this year). Also I heard that 8 birds were caught this year to increase the genetic diversity of the captive population, but I can't find any sources or confirmation on this. Does anyone know more or know a person to contact. I m writing an article for a Dutch avicultural magazine but I want to check some of my facts.
Orange-bellied parrot
- Thread starter DDcorvus
- Start date
I'm pretty sure Healesville Sanctuary in Victoria, Australia is heavily involved in Orange-Bellied Parrot conservation.
Electus Parrot
Well-Known Member
Adelaide Zoo's website has some information in the conservation section.
This seems quite useful, but contacting members of the Recovery team through any of the state organisations in Vic, Tassie or SA would be best (I believe the Tassie Department has the lead):
Update on the Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Program : The Birds Nest
Update on the Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Program : The Birds Nest
Otterthief
New Member
School of Life and Environmental Sciences
Dr Mike Weston from Deakin Uni is quite involved with the Orange-bellied Parrot
Dr Mike Weston from Deakin Uni is quite involved with the Orange-bellied Parrot
Apparently there are Orange-bellied Parrots in:
Adelaide Zoo
* 10 Males
* 13 Females
* 2 Recently Born
Dept. of Primary Industries and Water
* 28 Males
* 26 Females
* 8 Recently Born
Healesville Sanctuary
* 33 Males
* 29 Females
* 21 Recently Born
Which totals to:
* 71 Males
* 68 Females
* 30 Unknowns
* 31 Born in the last year
Which, again, totals to:
169 birds in Captivity.
Adelaide Zoo
* 10 Males
* 13 Females
* 2 Recently Born
Dept. of Primary Industries and Water
* 28 Males
* 26 Females
* 8 Recently Born
Healesville Sanctuary
* 33 Males
* 29 Females
* 21 Recently Born
Which totals to:
* 71 Males
* 68 Females
* 30 Unknowns
* 31 Born in the last year
Which, again, totals to:
169 birds in Captivity.
Electus Parrot
Well-Known Member
I'd say there would be more in other collections, probably in Tasmania in breeding facilities.
Terrific breeding success but it will be interesting to see how successful this program will be in the wild i.e. will the captive bred birds learn to migrate successfully and will it all be in vain at any rate? What I mean by that last question is that there is a theory that this species and the Swift parrot have been doomed to gradually become extint ever since Bass Strait became a sea. That is, that the two species previously used to happily travel north along forest, woodland and saltmarsh etc corridors when Tasmania was connected to the mainland. Further that these two parrots are not well adapted to the long flight they now have to take over the sea and hence one by one they have been not surviving the journey. It's an interesting evolutionary "experiment" and the conclusion may be that they have not evolved fast enough to meet the challenge. However, us good old humans have also done something we're very good at and accelerated their demise by habitat destruction (especially for Orange-bellied parrots due to what we perceive as "ugly" saltmarshes standing in the way of coastal development).
I hope that it can be saved with more intensive management (nest boxes, supplementary feeding and pest control on wintering grounds etc). Neophema parrots are so easy to manipulate in human care, that this species doesn't need to go extinct.
I wonder if it ever wintered on Tasmania or bred on mainland Australia? Establishing a non-migratory population might be easier.
Such theories that species are "doomed" are usually untrue. In this case, parrots survived many ice ages before, where sea levels varied from much lower to higher than today.
I wonder if it ever wintered on Tasmania or bred on mainland Australia? Establishing a non-migratory population might be easier.
Such theories that species are "doomed" are usually untrue. In this case, parrots survived many ice ages before, where sea levels varied from much lower to higher than today.
No that is it.
The theory I mentioned is not mine, but it's something I heard from a top ecologist and I thought it was interesting. I'm just wondering what the facts are that would make the theory wrong in relation to Orange-bellied Parrots. My understanding is that the land bridge with Tasmania existed during the most recent Ice Age from between about 110,000 to 12,000 years ago (??). All species of this genus are very similar. It's possible that the genus only split into the 6 species there are now during that last Ice Age?? i.e. as a species the Orange-Bellied Parrot certainly may have evolved during that period where the land bridge existed. However, I'm wondering if someone can enlighten us with the facts on this (...preferably something that's been peer reviewed and published).
Hi Jet,
To correct several misunderstandings:
- Good science generally cannot make future predictions of such broad nature "became doomed in some time in future".
- Like other migratory birds, the parrot could well, with genetic variability and over many generations, adapt better (and likely already adapted itself) to long sea crossings.
- In science, you don't put theories and wait to disprove, you prove them yourself.
- Orange-bellied parrot lived quite well until habitat destruction of Europeans.
However, stories that some species are supposedly "doomed" from geological reasons or their own maladaptation were used many times unjustly, to justify no conservation. Many such "doomed" species recoved pretty well. I read that california condors are "doomed" and should be left "to die with dignity", and that american bison is "doomed" etc etc.
best,
To correct several misunderstandings:
- Good science generally cannot make future predictions of such broad nature "became doomed in some time in future".
- Like other migratory birds, the parrot could well, with genetic variability and over many generations, adapt better (and likely already adapted itself) to long sea crossings.
- In science, you don't put theories and wait to disprove, you prove them yourself.
- Orange-bellied parrot lived quite well until habitat destruction of Europeans.
However, stories that some species are supposedly "doomed" from geological reasons or their own maladaptation were used many times unjustly, to justify no conservation. Many such "doomed" species recoved pretty well. I read that california condors are "doomed" and should be left "to die with dignity", and that american bison is "doomed" etc etc.
best,
And if migratory parrot species might be doomed, why is the migratory population of the Blue-winged Parrot then still doing fine? It's a Neophema and one that migrates but the species is listed a least concern. The problem with both the Orange-bellied as the Swift is habitat destruction and nothing else (introduced species are one as well for the orange-bellied but only because the habit destruction brought the numbers down already).
I note that I do have a reasonable grasp of science since I am trained in science and I work in science
. However, I was using the words "doomed" and "theory" in a popular not scientific manner that befits a chat site. Apologies, I did not intend this to be taken the wrong way and linked to other examples like the Bison, as I don't think their decline has absolutely anything in common with OBP. However, a couple of more points for consideration:
All threatened species listings are made on the basis of looking at past, present trends and predicting the potential for future extinction, with and without intervention (using both quantitative and qualititative criteria). It's not exact but it still applies "good" evidence-based science. Each category is based on the likelihood of extinction over certain timeframes eg. critically endangered for OBP means that the scientists on the national Threatened Species Scientific Committee determined in consultation with relevant experts that it is "facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future".
The point that the renowned threatened species scientist was making to me about OBP was that he thinks that small parrots like OBH are not generally well adapted to long sea crossings, unlike other migratory birds. I've seen no evidence to suggest either way whether OBPs were already decreasing prior to European settlement (you suggest they weren't but my source thinks it's likely). However, as I mentioned in my original e-mail I agree there is no doubt that anthropogenic habitat destruction and other threats have been extremely detrimental to their survival. Also, just to be clear, I would not for a second suggest that such a species is not worth saving. I think we should make whatever efforts we can to stop a species from going extinct, no matter what it is (although sometimes the investment comes too late and unfortunately is scaled back if there is no success e.g. recent/late efforts Xmas Island Pippistrelle).
Regarding the Blue-winged Parrot, I note it is secure on the mainland but Endangered in Tasmania, so in fact, at the risk of inciting further criticism for bringing the sea level rise issue up
....this e.g. could further support the point that the Bass Strait sea crossing is becoming too much for some of these birds too (but that it has had more success at surviving as a species because enough birds occur as far north as Queensland and don't make the sea crossing).....
. However, I was using the words "doomed" and "theory" in a popular not scientific manner that befits a chat site. Apologies, I did not intend this to be taken the wrong way and linked to other examples like the Bison, as I don't think their decline has absolutely anything in common with OBP. However, a couple of more points for consideration:All threatened species listings are made on the basis of looking at past, present trends and predicting the potential for future extinction, with and without intervention (using both quantitative and qualititative criteria). It's not exact but it still applies "good" evidence-based science. Each category is based on the likelihood of extinction over certain timeframes eg. critically endangered for OBP means that the scientists on the national Threatened Species Scientific Committee determined in consultation with relevant experts that it is "facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future".
The point that the renowned threatened species scientist was making to me about OBP was that he thinks that small parrots like OBH are not generally well adapted to long sea crossings, unlike other migratory birds. I've seen no evidence to suggest either way whether OBPs were already decreasing prior to European settlement (you suggest they weren't but my source thinks it's likely). However, as I mentioned in my original e-mail I agree there is no doubt that anthropogenic habitat destruction and other threats have been extremely detrimental to their survival. Also, just to be clear, I would not for a second suggest that such a species is not worth saving. I think we should make whatever efforts we can to stop a species from going extinct, no matter what it is (although sometimes the investment comes too late and unfortunately is scaled back if there is no success e.g. recent/late efforts Xmas Island Pippistrelle).
Regarding the Blue-winged Parrot, I note it is secure on the mainland but Endangered in Tasmania, so in fact, at the risk of inciting further criticism for bringing the sea level rise issue up
....this e.g. could further support the point that the Bass Strait sea crossing is becoming too much for some of these birds too (but that it has had more success at surviving as a species because enough birds occur as far north as Queensland and don't make the sea crossing).....