An endemic Australian species of parrot is facing an unusual problem and is facing extinction.

In the country with the world’s largest number of endangered species, most threats to native species come from invasive wild predators such as cats and foxes, or non-native herbivores such as pigs, camels and goats. However, golden-shouldered parrots (Psephotellus chrysopterygius) are threatened by trees and shrubs growing in their endemic range, the only one in the world.

In other cases, their nests were surrounded by savannah grass, allowing males to have a broad view of potential predator threats.

However, now, as a result of years of fires, as well as harmful grazing practices, the savannah is overrun. local vegetationtrees and bushes that block the view of males, so that when they finally see predators, it will be too late.

Sacred totems for the natives

According to the most comprehensive survey of Australia’s bird species, parrots living in the wild in the small enclave of Cape York in far north Queensland, they do not exceed 1100 people.

Known in Aboriginal language as Alwaysthe bird is considered a sacred totem by the native Olkol people, who are planning to build a fenced-in sanctuary for endangered species about 300 km north of Cairns.

As part of their protection, local rangers and members of the indigenous community will be brought in to monitor their populations and have already removed herds of cattle that graze uncontrollably over a large area of ​​their territory.

Surrounded by trees rather than grass, parrots are vulnerable to building their nests and even more so when feeding, mainly because they have learned to rely on “guards”.

“Parrots hide their heads in the grass in search of seeds, and their ears open to hear the first warning signals from the vegetation,” says Steve Murphy, ecologist and head of the agency responsible for this species of parrots. “Now we have more predators that hunt more efficiently, and they do it in the absence of nest guards and warning males. The fact that the parrots remained is amazing in itself,” he says.

The transition from a savannah ecosystem to a forested area has attracted more predators that thrive in denser vegetation, experts say.

Source: Smithsonian/ABC.