AUSTRALIA LAND OF PARROTS (new ABC documentary)

["Canberra Ornithologists Group Inc." <>]

 

this arrived in my work inbox - the attachments are too big to pass on, but I've copied text below. Apologies to those members of COG who have already received this - I noticed some of you in the address list used by the ABC.

 Sandra Henderson

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From: David Parer [
Sent: Tuesday, 15 April 2008 2:04 PM
Subject: Broadcast of AUSTRALIA LAND OF PARROTS on Sunday 4 May at 7-30PM on ABC1

 

Hi All,

This email is to let you know that "Australia Land of Parrots" will be broadcast on ABC1 on Sunday 4 May at 7-30PM.

Please pass the attachments onto anyone that you think may be interested in seeing the program; post them on your website (if you have one); or put a note in your newsletter.

Many thanks,

David Parer and Liz Parer-Cook

PS: TELL EVERYONE YOU KNOW - PLEASE

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__________________________________________________________________________________

Australia Land of Parrots

 

Premieres Sunday 4 May , 7.30pm

 

 

Discover the beauty, brilliance and behaviour of ’s most conspicuous birds – parrots and cockatoos in Australia Land of Parrots.  Multi-award winning, natural history filmmakers David Parer and Elizabeth Parer-Cook have turned their cameras to the sky to capture the spirit of these dazzling birds with breathtaking results - including rare and never before seen footage - all shot in HD.

 

 

Varieties of parrots and cockatoos thrive across and often in large numbers.  From the dense rainforests of the tropical north to the cold, wind-swept coast of southern and the arid deserts of the interior.  Australia Land of Parrots explores the spectacular and bizarre behaviour of ’s wild parrots and cockatoos across the varied landscapes of the island continent.

 

 

In the tropical rainforests of northern the female Eclectus Parrot defies every rule in the evolutionary rule book.  Instead of being drab, like most female birds, she’s brightly coloured.  Rob Heinsohn wanted to know why.  They live high up in trees and although Rob is afraid of heights, he’s been studying them for years and has discovered something truly unique.

 

 

Meanwhile the decade-long drought in the centre of has broken and Budgerigars gather to breed.  Time is short - they quickly pair up, lay eggs and rear their young, all in the space of a few months.  They are normally nomads who roam around in small flocks searching for seeds, but now there’s millions of them flocking and the predators know it.  

 

 

Parrots are very adaptable, the southern coast of is battered by fierce weather yet Rock Parrots live along the shoreline.  Gang Gangs and Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos thrive on the native vegetation in southern temperate forests, surviving wildfires which sweep through banksias and eucalypts.

 

 

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Little Corellas and Galahs have been quick to take advantage of opportunities arising from modern farming.  With food and water easily available, their populations have exploded, causing havoc for farmers.  Thousands of Red-tailed Black Cockatoos are driving many peanut farmers out of business and marauding flocks of Rainbow Lorikeets are invading orchards and big cities in search of an easy meal.

 

 

But not all parrots are thriving.  In the far north, one thousand Golden-Shouldered Parrots are all that’s left of a remarkable species that was once common.  They breed in spire-shaped termite mounds – temperature regulated condos for their young.

 

 

One of the most amazing parrots is the rare Palm Cockatoo who lives up north.  Imitating their calls, Steve Murphy has been tracking them for years trying to work out how they live and he’s uncovered some amazing behaviour. 

 

 

 

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Canberra Ornithologists Group
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Online: www.canberrabirds.org.au