In a quiet corner of south-west Tasmania, new hope is emerging for one of Australia’s tiniest and most endangered birds, with the Christmas homecoming of the Orange-bellied parrot.
Minister for the Environment Sussan Ley today visited Melaleuca in Tasmania’s wilderness where increasing numbers of the rare parrot have been sighted migrating from the mainland to nest.
“At least 68 birds have already flown home from their annual summer migration across Bass Strait with another 19 released at Melaleuca this spring from captive breeding,” Minister Ley said.
“It is one of the largest recorded sightings to this point and today the first clutch of eggs were confirmed in nest in another positive sign for what remains an intense campaign to conserve the Orange-bellied parrot.
“The Morrison Government is investing over $2.2 million in protection and conservation measures including disease prevention research, captive breeding, citizen science projects and habitat improvement to protect populations and boost breeding in the wild.”
One of only three migratory parrots in the world Orange-bellied parrots are 20cm long and weigh just 45 grams.
Each autumn they head to sheltered coastland habitats in South Australia and Southern Victoria before returning to the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area during the summer to breed.
“Such a tiny bird braving the treacherous winds of bass strait each year to return to the mainland represents a remarkable story of survival,” Minister Ley said.
“The Orange-bellied parrot is one of the priority species identified in our Threatened Species Strategy Action Plan and a symbol of the importance of the conservation work being undertaken.”
Orange-bellied parrot populations have been under threat from habitat loss, feral species, changes to fire management practices and genetic decline.
