Important New Information on Night Parrots

By Birding-Aus, on March 10th, 2015

There have been some interesting developments in the Night Parrot story. Feral cats may not be quite the hazard to the birds that we feared. Dingoes are being regarded as a useful tool in protecting the population. Significantly, the Queensland Government has become involved in efforts to protect the property in south-west Queensland where the parrots occur. Dr Steve Murphy is to be congratulated on his excellent work – in collaboration with John Young, who discovered the Night Parrot population – in conducting further research into the birds, and in developing conservation strategies to protect this critically endangered species. For further information and images of Night Parrot feathers, a feral cat and a dingo from the site, see here: http://sunshinecoastbirds.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/important-news-regarding-night-parrots.html Greg Roberts

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carlsclifford

March 11, 2015 at 3:19 pm

Or even there at all.

stephen

March 11, 2015 at 1:47 pm

The feathers in the photo look a bit dishevelled (some more than others), but don’t look particularly worn to me. So I don’t think they are old feathers that have been moulted. Stephen Ambrose Ryde, NSW —–Original Message—– Philip Veerman Sent: Wednesday, 11 March 2015 2:07 PM Another weird story. Actually it seems there never was an alarming story (that rekindled this whole cat debate). It is likely that cats have been killing Night Parrots for years so there was nothing new in the suggestion. But it appears there still isn’t proof of it (at least from this). Things should not be overstated. It does not help the cause. Found feathers does not indicate that a bird died. Apart from other mentioned options, it could just be moulted feathers, an option that curiously is not mentioned and could be the most likely. It seems that these birds don’t move much, so nothing odd about finding a collection of moulted feathers. There is a little photo there, that I can’t see evidence that the feathers have been bitten of at the base. If feathers have been bitten off by a cat, it should be easy to see that on at least some of them, and this would be worth mentioning, without going as far as DNA analysis for cat saliva or whatever they did. This item has this quote: “Murphy says: “With respect to the feathers, the conclusion is that no-one can say with any certainty what happened to result in a Night Parrot losing 31 feathers.” A rather weird statement, given that in general, all birds moult all their feathers each year, and that is a lot more than 31! Philip

sales

March 11, 2015 at 10:22 am

Carl, So, the parrot is neither dead or alive until after you open the cat? Cheers Glenn —–Original Message—– Sent: Wednesday, 11 March 2015 9:53 AM Cc: < birding-aus@birding-aus.org>; < ninderry@westnet.com.au> Obviously a Schrödinger’s Parrot. Carl Clifford

March 11, 2015 at 9:52 am

Obviously a Schrödinger’s Parrot. Carl Clifford

mcnabangus

March 10, 2015 at 5:42 pm

Im confused…it has been confirmed as being killed by a cat by John as well as being confirmed that they have no idea what happened to it and it may not be dead by Steve? Cheers Angus ——– Original message ——– There have been some interesting developments in the Night Parrot story. Feral cats may not be quite the hazard to the birds that we feared. Dingoes are being regarded as a useful tool in protecting the population. Significantly, the Queensland Government has become involved in efforts to protect the property in south-west Queensland where the parrots occur. Dr Steve Murphy is to be congratulated on his excellent work – in collaboration with John Young, who discovered the Night Parrot population – in conducting further research into the birds, and in developing conservation strategies to protect this critically endangered species. For further information and images of Night Parrot feathers, a feral cat and a dingo from the site, see here: http://sunshinecoastbirds.blogspot.com.au/2015/03/important-news-regarding-night-parrots.html Greg Roberts

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Important New Information on Night Parrots

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