Justification This species has a very small population and, although numbers are stable or increasing at one intensively-managed breeding site, numbers continue to decline at outlying sites and it is assumed to be declining overall. It is therefore classified as Critically Endangered.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author (Latham, 1790)

Taxonomic source(s) Christidis and Boles (1994), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Identification 22-25 cm. Slim parrot, grass-green above, and yellowish below. Adult male has prominent, two-tone blue frontal band, green-blue uppertail with yellow sides, conspicuous in flight, orange patch on belly. Adult female similar but slightly duller, orange patch slightly smaller, tail greener. Juvenile similar to adult female, best distinguished at fledging by dull yellow-orange bill and cere. Similar spp. Distinguished from Blue-winged Parrot N. chrysostoma and Elegant Parrot N. elegans by darker grass-green upperparts and narrow dark-blue leading edge to folded wing. Voice Calls have distinct buzzy quality. Metallic buzzing alarm call diagnostic. Hints Contact Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Team for sighting opportunities.

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

150

decreasing

3,100 km²

Yes

Range & population Neophema chrysogaster breeds in a very small area between Birch's Inlet at Macquarie Harbour and Melaleuca in south-western Tasmania, Australia. In this area, they are thought to breed at only two sites, Melaleuca and Birch's Inlet¹ (area of occupancy is estimated at 30 km^{2 3}). Birds migrate to the mainland after breeding, stopping over on King Island, and overwintering at sites scattered from south-eastern South Australia east to south-eastern New South Wales¹. Annual winter counts in Victoria, South Australia and Bass Strait from 1979 to 1990 varied between 67 and 122, with no significant change in numbers. Numbers recorded in mainland surveys have since declined, for example 48 birds recorded from 19 sites in 2007⁷. However, the breeding population remains relatively stable, suggesting that birds are moving away from counted areas while on the mainland¹. Slight declines in annual winter survival have led to a slight downwards trend in the overall population, which now numbers probably no more than 150 individuals². Over 150 birds are also now held in captivity², with annual releases occurring of c.75 birds. Released birds have migrated successfully between their breeding and wintering grounds⁵.

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: It breeds in a mosaic of eucalypt forest and rainforest bordering extensive moorland plains. It nests in hollows, feeding on the ground on grass and sedge seed from surrounding moorlands. After breeding it disperses to saltmarshes, dunes, beaches, pastures and shrublands close to the coast. It overwinters in Australia and migrates to Tasmania to breed.

Threats The primary reason for the species's decline is thought to be fragmentation and degradation of overwintering habitat by grazing, agriculture and urban and industrial development. Competition with introduced seed-eating finches may have affected winter food availability, while some former breeding habitat may have been vacated because of a change in the fire regime and competition with introduced Common Starlings Sturnus vulgaris, which fill nest-hollows with nesting material, rendering them unsuitable. Deaths from random events, such as sea storms during migration, predation by foxes and cats, or disease, are significant threats to such a tiny population. Degradation of remaining saltmarsh habitat on the mainland is a significant threat¹. A proposed application for a mining exploration licence in Melaleuca could prove highly damaging to the species's breeding grounds⁸. In 2005-2006, 40 young birds bred in captivity died of unknown causes, but a viral disease is suspected. This population was quarantined to avoid releasing a threatening disease into the wild population⁶.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix I. A recovery team was established in 1980. Much feeding habitat in Tasmania, Victoria and King Island has been reserved or is managed. Breeding habitat is monitored and maintained through burning. Breeding, migration and winter counts are made annually. A wide range of research projects are ongoing. A captive-breeding programme has been established with the main centre at Healesville Sanctuary, Victoria, and c.75 birds are released annually⁴. A method for detecting suitable habitat by remote sensing has been developed. A new initiative aims to re-establish saltmarsh in suitable areas within the Victorian range, starting with trials to determine the best approach¹. Awareness-raising and education programmes are conducted.

Conservation measures proposed Survey all saltmarsh in wintering range using satellite imagery. Monitor genetic heterozygosity. Model breeding and feeding habitat to assess availability. Re-establish saltmarsh in areas where it is likely to benefit the species. Monitor and manage Psittacine Circoviral Disease in the captive population. Control human disturbance at Victorian sites and Melaleuca, Tasmania. Control predators at mainland sites. Control feral cats at King Island site. Create new winter habitats. Protect key wintering sites in South Australia. Develop and implement a media strategy.

References S.Bryant verbally (2003). 1. C. Tzaros and M.A. Weston in litt. (2003). 2. M. Holdsworth in litt. (2005). 3. Garnett and Crowley (2000). 4. ARAZPA (2004). 5. Loyn et al. (2005). 6. M. Holdsworth verbally (2006). 7. Saunders (2008). 8. Anon (2008).

Further web sources of information

Australian Govt - Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000 - Recovery Outline

Text account compilers Phil Benstead (BirdLife International), Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Stephen Garnett (Charles Darwin University), Stephen Garnett (Birds Australia), Rachel McClellan (BirdLife International), John Pilgrim (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Contributors Sally Bryant (Parks & Wildlife Service, Hobart), Mark Holdsworth (Orange-bellied Parrot Recovery Program), Chris Tzaros (Birds Australia), Michael A. Weston (Deakin University)

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Andy Symes (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Neophema chrysogaster. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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