User:KimvdLinde/Pezoporus occidentalis
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| Pezoporus occidentalis (Gould, 1861) |
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Geopsittacus occidentalis |
The Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) is a small broad-tailed parrot endemic to Australia. The species was previously placed in its own genus (Geopsittacus)[2], but most authors place it now in the genus Pezoporus together with the Ground Parrot (Pezoporus wallicus)[3][4][5] . Genetic evidence shows that the closest related genus is Meloppsittacus , which contains the best known parrot species, the Budgerigar[5][6].
This species is overall yellowish green mottled with dark brown, black and yellow. This species is distinguished from the Ground Parrot by its shorter tail and different range and habitat. This species has a terrestrial nature, and furtive nocturnal habits. Its natural habitat are the spinifex grass which dominates much of the dry Australian interior; other early reports also indicate that it never strays far from water.[2]
The population size of this species is unknown but is presumed to be very small, and it is therefore listed on the IUCN Red List as Critically Endangered[7]. There have been only a few records since the 1880s, with the last authenticated report in 1990, when a roadkill specimen was discovered by scientists returning from an expedition in a remote part of Queensland [8]. Prior to this, the last reliable sighting was in 1979 when a team of scientists from the South Australia Museum spotted an apparent flock of the birds in the far north of South Australia. Reports have persisted since the 1990 find, but no further specimens have been recovered. Ornithologists continue to patrol the outback for signs that the species still thrives, even checking the old nests of other birds for fragments of night parrot feathers.
Despite this, the night parrot remains one of the most elusive and mysterious birds in the world of ornithology.
[edit] References
- ^ BirdLife International (2004). Pezoporus occidentalis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is critically endangered
- ^ a b For example: Forshaw, Joseph M.; Cooper, William T. (1973, 1981). Parrots of the World.
- ^ Australian Biological Resources Study: Pezoporus
- ^ Schodde, R. & Mason, I.J. (1981). Nocturnal Birds of Australia. Illustrated by Jeremy Boot. Melbourne: Lansdowne Edns 136 pp. 22 pls [35-36]
- ^ a b Leeton, P.R.J., Christidis, L., Westerman, M. & Boles, W.E. (1994). Molecular phylogenetic relationships of the Night Parrot (Geopsittacus occidentalis) and the Ground Parrot (Pezoporus wallicus). Auk 111: 833-843
- ^ Christidis, L., Schodde, R., Shaw, D.D. & Maynes, S.F. (1991) Relationships among the Australo-Papuan Parrots, Lorikeets, and Cockatoos (Aves, Psittaciformes) - Protein Evidence. Condor 93: 302-317.
- ^ BirdLife Species Factsheet: Night Parrot
- ^ Boles, Walter E. et al. (1994) A Recent Specimen of the Night Parrot Geopsittacus occidentalis. Emu 94:37-40.
