Glossy Black Cockatoo sub-species doubles in number
Australia has lost 27 bird species since European settlement and another 20 species are considered at "imminent risk of extinction," with the main threats being habitat loss, agricultural expansion, climate change, invasive species and pollution. But conservation measures do work, and the Glossy Black Cockatoo on Kangaroo Island is an example of how turning around a species can be relatively easy and cheap.
Population numbers of the Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami halmaturinus) have doubled on Kangaroo Island in 15 years. Surveys carried out in the 1970’s suggested that the population probably numbered no more than 150 individuals. Prior to the start of the Glossy Recovery Programme in 1995, it was still thought the population was under 200 birds.
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Discovering Bourke’s Parakeets in the wild
by Allen Friis
A friend of mine contacted me recently to say that Bourke’s Parakeets (Neopsephotus bourkii) had been seen regularly near Cunnamulla in Queensland’s south west. I have observed Bourke’s in the wild on three occasions, but had managed to get only one decent photo from these sightings. As a bird lover who can’t get enough of seeing our wonderful parrots and cockatoos in the wild, I knew I had to make arrangements to travel the 1,000km (620 mile) trip in the hope of seeing and photographing these little gems.
Although the roads are good, it is a long drive, but I hoped it would be worth the trip. Rain had fallen on the day before I arrived and there was water everywhere. The red soil of the Aussie Outback is a trap when wet and even pulling off the road to rest is a mistake as you can become hopelessly bogged.
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A day in the life of Team Conure
by Karen Chudley
Permit me to introduce Team Conure, our seven Green-cheeked Conures and one Black-capped Conure. Team Conure is captained by Oberon, who is undisputedly top bird, aided by his First Mate, Cobweb. Heading up the hens we have Titania and her lady-in-waiting, Portia, a re-home bird. Next comes Calamity, our little Black-capped Conure, who is very bold and adventurous, and her best friend Frodo, a widowed ex-stud bird.
Finally, it gives me pleasure to introduce Maybelline and Max. We liberated this inseparable duo from what must have been a soul destroying, not to mention muscle destroying, two-year stretch imprisoned in a cramped pet shop cage.
All eight birds share a huge cage, although sometimes I wonder why, as they spend most of their time piled up in a heap and it has to be said that Team Conure in general has no concept of personal space, either avian or human!
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