The Western Ground Parrot is believed to be a full species based on recent
DNA analysis as has been reported. It is in extreme risk. Its numbers may
only be 110 individuals. It is declining at an alarming rate. In the last
10 years its estimated numbers have halved, and it has disappeared from the
Cheyne Beach / Waychinicup area, and its numbers in its former stronghold
of the Fitzgerald River NP have dropped severely. Its stronghold (if you
can say that for a species in such low numbers) is now Cape Arid NP. Cats
are believed to be a major factor, now that 1080 baiting has greatly
reduced the fox numbers.
It is one species I haven't seen!! I have assisted in about 20 listening
surveys, and heard several. If you did want to see it, then I would
suggest that you volunteer for future surveys. Go to the Birds Australia
web site, and find the Western Ground Parrot details there. It should be
under projects. If not, then go to the Western Australia section and look
under projects there.
110 individuals makes it rarer than Jeff Kennett's 'trumped up budgie'
(OBP). Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that it is likely to jump in front
of any wind farms, and so it is extremely difficult to get funding. They
are proposing a captive breeding program, plus a very strong feral animal
control program. Some funding has been received from Exetel.
_________________________________________________________________
Frank O'Connor Birding WA http://birdingwa.iinet.net.au
Phone : (08) 9386 5694 Email :
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