BirdLife Australia has reported the depressing news that the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrots (OBP) has decreased in numbers on last year’s tally according to the January recovery survey of the species.
This photo of the Orange-bellied parrot was taken by Rob Shepherd at the Werribee Open Range Zoo, November 2023
Only 86 birds – 53 males and 33 females – had returned to their breeding site in south west Tasmania. The Orange-bellied Parrot is one of only two truly migratory parrots.
One of the birds’ traditional feeding grounds during the autumn and winter are the saltmarshes of Lake Connewarre on the Bellarine Peninsula. Such sites near large population areas are vulnerable to habitat destruction, foxes and feral cats, harmful human activities and inappropriate development.
Sally White
