New Parakeet species

18-08-2001

DNA analysis of the Red-fronted Parakeet Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae complex from the Pacific Islands has concluded that "the Norfolk Island Green Parrot, previously C. n. cooki, and New Caledonian Red-crowned Parakeet, previously C. n. saisaetti, are highly divergent from all other members of the genus" and should be treated as separate species. (C. cooki was treated as a full species in BirdLife's Threatened Birds of the World, in line with other taxonomic authorities.)