This exquisite budgie-sized, migratory parrot has been perilously close to extinction for several decades.
1/400, f/5.6, ISO 3200
Canon 5DSR, Canon 100-400mm L IS II USM
Orange-bellied Parrots are remarkable birds. They breed at Melaleuca in Tasmania and migrate to mainland areas of coastal saltmarsh.
From being ‘abundant’ and ‘plentiful’ during the mid 1800s their numbers fell to less than 50 individuals and in 2017 only three breeding females returned to Tasmania.
1/400, f/5.6, ISO 3200
Canon 5DSR, Canon 100-400mm L IS II USM
A recovery program was set up in the 1980s that has kept the species extant: captive birds are being bred and released on the mainland and in Tasmania; habitat is being protected and enhanced; predators are being controlled etc.
1/400, f/6.3, ISO 1600
Canon 5DSR, Canon 100-400mm L IS II USM
They remain in a precarious position. About twenty wild birds migrated this year, with an estimation of over 100 remaining in Tasmania.
I recently did an online Neophema Identification Workshop with Bob Green, that I recommend. If you’d like to attend a workshop, Bob can be contacted on 0407 649 909. It was great to hear him articulate the differences between the species, including the colour of the headband and the lack of yellow headlights either side of the bill. And did you know they might not have an orange belly while a couple of the other species might? The other five neophemas are the Blue-winged Parrot, Rock Parrot, Elegant Parrot, Turquoise Parrot and Scarlet-chested Parrot.
Further information can be found on the Facebook page Orange-bellied Parrot Tasmanian Program
Debbie Lustig hosts the Facebook page Save the Orange-bellied Parrot that you might like to support.
Happy birding, Kim
~ Facebook page Kim Wormald – lirralirra
~ Facebook group Ethical Bird Photography
Hi Kim
When you look into the face and eye of this beautiful little bird in the last photo it is actually speaking to us all and the message is clear ‘we need help now, tomorrow will be too late; so please circulate this amazing photo to all your friends and family and help us to survive’.
Absolutely vital to gain as much information and knowledge from those in the field and the wildlife activists such as Bob Brown who have been fighting all their lives to protect the most vulnerable and voiceless in our communities and on the planet. Tasmanian wilderness areas are again under threat from massive logging and deforestation and this is taking place when all the rest of us are just trying to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic and all its horrific consequences.
Your emails and photos bring much happiness, joy, hope and delight. Big thank you on behalf of all these beautiful, gentle and amazing birds which are so vital to keep nature in balance.
Stay safe, healthy, happy and SANE.
Barbara
Bob Brown is an impressive man. It’s so hard to have to keep fighting for the same things, over and over. You have such a strong connection with nature Barbara. Take care out there, Kim
And thank you for this stunning series. I love the errant feather in the first.
When I first saw that errant feather I was a bit disappointed, then I came to really like it too.
I hope (fervently) that these small but important pieces of feathered enchantment can be saved.
And huge thanks to all those who are working to try and make it possible.
There are some very inspiring and tireless workers out there, thank goodness
They’re adorable Kim, thanks for sharing
You’re welcome Syndy, my pleasure
Hi Kim,
Funnily enough I always thought that the Bourke Parrot was a member of the Neophema class of parrots but it is close but not close enough. I thought this because my younger brother used to breed parrots, still does, but the Neophemas were a favourite.
The reason that I thought that the Bourkes belonged to the Neophemas is because I can remember he had one in a flight without a partner and it actually hybrid bred with another of the Neophems class of birds. I remember him taking the three young nes to the pet store and coming home upset because they wouldn’t pay him much for “cross-breeds”. We were only young at the time, from memory 17-18years old.
Hopefully with the WTP still closed the OBP’s might get a chance to settle in without cameras constantly being pushed in their faces?
Kindest regards,
Bruce.
I can understand why you’d think that. I’m super fond of Bourke Parrots, they’re exquisite. That’s fascinating about the cross breeding, it sounds unique. I’m sure the birds at the WTP are feeling very relaxed at the moment!
Hi Kim. These are beautiful birds. We need to be aware of our feathered friends. I’m glad someone stepped up to try and save this species. Thank you for the superb photo.
They are little beauties aren’t they. I’m so pleased people are striving to save them, I hope they’re successful