The Status and Conservation of Australia’s Parrots, Finches and other Birds

Posted by: Frank Indiviglio in Bird Conservation, Bird Habitat, Bird Research or Recent News, Field Notes and Observations on Birds, Wild Birds October 7, 2011 2 Comments 5698 Views

The recently published Action Plan for Australian Birds, 2010 covering all Australian birds on the IUCN Red Data List, has its share of depressing conservation news, but also offers some hope. As most bird enthusiasts know, a few species of Australian cockatoos are expanding their ranges, but far more are declining or barely holding their own. Less well-known is the fact that several finches are also in serious trouble in the wild, despite being well-established in the pet trade.

Past and Present Statistics

Since European settlers arrived onAustraliain 1788, 2.2% of the continent’s birds have become extinct and 11.8% are threatened with extinction. As so many of Australia’s birds are found nowhere else on earth and have no close relatives, the situation is especially critical.

While certain recent conservation measures have helped, 4 species have been added to the critically endangered category since the last Action Plan for Australian Birds was released (“critically endangered” birds face a high risk of extinction in the wild). The 4 newly designated species include 2 parrots – the Western Ground Parrot and the Norfolk Island Tasman Parakeet – and the Regent Honeyeater and Gray-Headed Albatross.

Additionally, 39 species or subspecies are in greater danger than they were 10 years ago.

Conservation Status Overview

A review of the report reveals that 27 Australian birds are now extinct. Twenty species, including the Orange Bellied Parrot, are in the critically endangered category. Sixty-eight species are listed as vulnerable and 63 are considered to be near-threatened.

Good News

On the bright side, 7 species have been down-listed (meaning that populations have risen) since the last report. The Gouldian Finch is among these. Unfortunately, however, this multi-colored pet trade favorite is still near threatened in the wild, but at least the outlook for its survival is improving. Other well-known birds that seem to be recovering are the Tasmanian Wedge-Tailed Eagle and the Southern Cassowary.

Mixed News

Australia’s diverse habitats have given rise to many genetically distinct subspecies of birds. While often superficially resembling others of their kind, subspecies possess unique traits and their conservation must be managed individually.

In some case, one subspecies was found to be thriving while another is in dire straits or even extinct. For example, individual Double-Eyed Fig Parrot subspecies are listed as endangered and of least concern. The Star Finch is well-established in captivity and in some parts of its range, but the southern population is classified as critically endangered.

Some Key Problems

Many of Australia’s rare birds face threats along their East Asian migration routes, where the protections afforded in Australia may be lacking or unenforced.

Within Australia, predation and competition from introduced species is a major reason for native species declines, as has been the case for centuries. Livestock grazing also continues to degrade habitats and displace birds (some cockatoos, however, have exploded in numbers around ranches due to the increased availability of food and water).

Even closely managed, very rare birds are not immune to threats from introduced predators. For example, conservation authorities were recently shocked to learn, via camera traps, that stoats and possums routinely prey upon Kea chicks (please see the article below). Wildlife authorities continue to battle rats, foxes, ferrets and other long-established pests, while trying to stay ahead of new invaders. Not all threats come in the form of hungry mammals…introduced “crazy ants”, tiny but voracious, are proving to be a severe problem. However, ant control measures have led to a promising rise in Christmas Island Hawk Owl numbers.