By David Waugh, Correspondent, Loro Parque Fundación
If such a thing as a typical parrot exists, it is certainly not the Ground Parrot (Pezoporus wallicus) of Australia. Its scientific name of Greek origin, Pezoporus, means ‘going on land’ or ‘pedestrian’ or ‘on foot’, and perfectly describes this ground-hugging parrot which is rarely seen in flight or even on the ground. This is because the preferred habitats are heathland, sedgeland and button-grass (Dactyloctenium radulans) plains where the shy and elusive Ground Parrots inhabit the dense herbage within which they run and conceal themselves with ease.
In its favoured habitats the Eastern Ground Parrot is found along the eastern seaboard of mainland Australia and in Tasmania, whereas the Western Ground Parrot has an isolated and restricted distribution in south-west Australia. Depending on the taxonomic authority, the Western Ground Parrot is recognised as either the full species Pezoporus flaviventris or as the subspecies Pezoporus wallicus flaviventris. In their ecology and appearance, the two forms are very similar, the Western Ground Parrot having more yellow on the underparts.
The most important current threat to all Ground Parrots is extensive and intense fires that temporarily remove habitat. Ground Parrots nest on the ground, and therefore an additional danger is predation by introduced feral cats (Felis catus) and red foxes (Vulpes vulpes), particularly immediately after a fire. Despite these threats, and due to its large geographical distribution, the Eastern Ground Parrot is not considered to be a threatened species. However, with its much smaller distribution the Western Ground Parrot is at far greater risk and its status under Australia’s Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EBPC) is ‘Critically Endangered’. Previously the population suffered from loss and degradation of the habitat, but currently its problems are also related to climate change causing increase in droughts, temperatures and heat waves, and the attendant increase in the scale, frequency, and severity of fires. Furthermore, predation by feral cats and foxes continues its pressure, and the further problem of a soil-borne water mould called cinnamon fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomic) is causing dieback of habitat.