Latest news with #BirdLifeAustralia
ABC News
08-08-2025
- General
- ABC News
Rare regent honeyeaters unexpectedly spotted on NSW Mid North Coast
A group of birdwatchers arriving at a nature reserve on the New South Wales Mid North Coast has spotted one of the country's rarest birds before even leaving the car park. The group had just got to Jolly Nose Mountain Bike Park in the Queens Lake Nature Reserve recently, when an eagle-eyed twitcher spotted a critically endangered regent honeyeater. According to BirdLife Australia, there have only been five reports of the bird in the Port Macquarie area in the past decade. Hastings Birdwatchers conservation officer Peter West was one of the few people among the group of about 20 who had seen the species before. "We got out of the car and the first thing someone said was, 'There's a regent honeyeater,'" Mr West said. "To be honest I didn't believe they were telling me the truth, but it was true. "The lady who organised the morning had a plan, which went out the window, and I don't think we got very far from the car park at all." Mr West said they saw two regent honeyeaters in the reserve south of Port Macquarie, feeding with other types of honeyeaters in the trees. "They are beautiful birds and also exceptionally rare — there's about 300 left in the wild," he said. BirdLife Australia regent honeyeater recovery coordinator Mick Roderick said it was an important sighting because tracking regent honeyeaters in the wild outside breeding season was difficult. According to BirdLife, the regent honeyeater was once found from Rockhampton to Adelaide, but is now confined to fragmented areas in Victoria and New South Wales. "Regent honeyeaters are extremely rare anywhere, but particularly in this part of the Mid North Coast," Mr Roderick said. "We are averaging less than one bird a year being reported from the Mid North Coast … so having two birds seen is really exciting." A long-term regent honeyeater captive breeding and release program is underway in Australia, but the birds spotted were born in the wild. "They [the birdwatchers] couldn't say if it was a pair, but the exciting thing is both birds were not banded, which means they are wild birds," Mr Roderick said. "It gives us some hope there are more birds out there than we realise. "We are talking about a very rare bird that covers a pretty large range … and we can go many months without knowing where there's a single individual," Mr Roderick said. "There was a single regent honeyeater sighted at Manly Dam in Sydney … a few days before these two birds were sighted. "Before that it had been two months before we'd seen any regent honeyeaters … overall, in 2025 we are up to about nine birds seen across their entire range." Mr West said boosting regent honeyeater habitat was important. "It's important we protect areas for these birds, they are nomads, they go around chasing the flowering trees and the nectar they provide," he said. Mr Roderick said regent honeyeater habitat was in prime condition leading up to the species' breeding season this spring. A mass eucalypt budding has occurred after wet weather and flooding in parts of NSW earlier this year, which will lead to blossoms and plenty of food to support the nectar-feeding bird. "Spring is just around the corner, and we are really hoping regents are going to arrive back at their breeding sites in the coming weeks," Mr Roderick said. "We are really hoping the regents take advantage of the good conditions and get some chicks out of nests. "I do think this is a very important year for regent honeyeaters."
Yahoo
05-08-2025
- Yahoo
Travelling couple witness 'heartbreaking' incident with speeding 4WD on country road
An Aussie couple were travelling down a straight country road in search of a rare species of bird when a 'speeding' 4WD drove through a significant portion of the remaining population. Only around 1,500 breeding pairs of regent parrots remain, and two individuals were mowed down by the vehicle, prompting a confused response from nearby birds. Melbourne-based Chenoa Odgaard and her partner, photographer Jacob Gates, were deep in Victoria's Mallee country, near the town of Ouyen, when they witnessed the 'heartbreaking' incident. 'It didn't stop, it just kept flying down the road. The driver probably didn't even know what they had hit,' she told Yahoo News Australia. 'There's no signage, there's no monitoring, no one seems to be held accountable for how they drive.' The road where the birds were killed is a hotspot for Australia's native birds. It stretches through bushland reserves and farmland, and food is abundant at the end of winter, attracting flocks to the gravel edges where it's easy to find fallen seed. Complex reasons regent parrots love roadsides Sean Dooley from conservation non-profit BirdLife Australia explained that regent parrots tend to follow vegetation corridors along roads, as they move from nesting habitat in ancient red gums, out into the surrounding Mallee. "They're really tied to roads, and follow the roadsides for their travel, which puts small groups at a high risk of being killed by cars and trucks," Dooley said. French Canadian research found that intelligent bird species like parrots can learn to estimate the average speed of cars on roads they frequent, but not the actual speed of an individual car. "If everyone is travelling at the same speed, they can adapt, but if someone is travelling faster than the average, that's when most roadkill occurs. So it really is an issue with speed," Dooley added." Australian authorities caught unlawfully using 'cruel' devices to catch Alarm raised after strange backyard phenomenon worsens in Aussie region Disturbing discovery on remote Aussie island 'paints a concerning picture' Another problem the birds face when trying to avoid speeding vehicles is that most birds have a belly full of grain from feeding, and this makes them heavier and slower. In the 1980s, this was a particular issue because grain trucks leaving farms wouldn't cover their loads properly, leaving it spilled across the roadside. "The birds would basically be gorging themselves," Dooley said. Today, seeds are swept onto roadsides by wind and rain, and they remain easy feeding grounds. Surviving birds return to scene after pair run down Regent parrots live in small flocks and are known for their striking yellow colouring. They were once considered common, but their range has significantly declined due to habitat destruction, pesticide poisoning, road strikes, fire and drought. The Mallee region remains an important stronghold. After the pair of regent parrots were killed on Wednesday, Chenoa and Jacob watched the response from surviving members of the flock. 'There's a picture of the dead birds lying next to each other, with the others standing around them. It was almost like they were trying to work out what had happened and whether they would wake up,' Chenoa said. 'It was sad to see. They're obviously very tight-knit in their little groups.' Call to help reduce regent parrot deaths After the flock had flown away, Jacob picked up the two dead birds and placed them on the side of the road. They were left wondering whether the birds were killed out of 'callousness' or if the driver was simply driving too fast to notice them. Because regent parrots can be skittish, passing cars can disturb flocks and cause them to fly across the road and into the path of danger. Chenoa and Jacob regularly head up to the Mallee, and sadly, they've seen five dead last week on roads. But they're far from being the only species impacted by speeding drivers. Because threatened Mallee fowl build their famously giant nests close to roads, they're also vulnerable to vehicle strikes. While there's signage marking the Mallee fowl hotspots, they frequently see drivers fly by without slowing down. And there's nothing alerting motorists to the regent parrots. 'I don't think signage will deter them much. I think motorists just really need to be held accountable for their driving. Temporary speed cameras would probably really help,' Chenoa said. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
ABC News
05-08-2025
- Science
- ABC News
A "rare" white magpie was spotted near Melbourne — but it isn't albino
A white magpie spotted on the Mornington Peninsula is a rare and curious sight for the casual birdwatcher — but it's not unheard of. This magpie was photographed by ABC follower Garin Sandler at a golf course on the peninsula's southern coast in July. BirdLife Australia said the bird appeared to have a genetic condition known as "leucism", causing it to lack the typical black colouring of its feathers. If it didn't have the condition, the magpie would likely be identical to its black-and-white brothers and sisters, BirdLife Australia's senior public relation advisor Sean Dooley said. But its distinctive white appearance may make its life more difficult. Sightings of leucistic birds are not common. Leucism affects about one in 30,000 birds, and has been reported among a wide variety of species including magpies, bush turkeys, robins and wrens. It's often confused with albinism. But where albinism affects all the colours of an animal — including its eyes and skin — leucism typically affects just one gene. In the case of this photographed magpie, there has been a mutation of the gene responsible for giving its feathers their black pigment. So an easy way to tell whether an animal is albino or leucistic is to check if it still as its other colours. "Generally, [leucistic animals] are only partially white or partially pale," Mr Dooley said. Most reports of leucistic birds to BirdLife Australia are for magpies. Despite this, Mr Dooley doesn't believe the species necessarily has a genetic predisposition to the condition. It could also just be basic mathematics. "[Leucistic] magpies seem to be observed more often than most birds, but that may be because magpies are a much more common bird," Mr Dooley said. "If we saw a leucistic honeyeater, only experienced birdwatchers would know that's different." Leucism is also commonly reported among other birds with black plumage such as ravens, crows and blackbirds. In April, a leucistic little penguin was discovered on a South Australian beach. Because they're so distinctive, all leucistic birds face greater challenges to survival than their normally-pigmented relatives. While all birds with leucism are at greater risk of predation because they lack their natural camouflage, smaller species may be more vulnerable to predators than larger species like magpies. It can make attracting a mate more difficult as well. "They can also be socially shunned," Mr Dooley said. "They can find it harder to attract a mate if the mating pressures involve a visual display."
ABC News
22-07-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Avian influenza not the cause of mass bird deaths in Coral Bay, authorities say
Authorities have ruled out avian influenza as the cause of recent mass bird deaths near a West Australian town, but what led to the incident remains a mystery. Residents and visitors have reported seeing scores of crested terns dead on beaches in the Coral Bay during the peak tourism season. Callie Adams was visiting from Perth when she noticed the birds north of the town a little more than a week ago. "As I walked from the main beach in town around to the point I noticed a few dead birds, just here and there," she said. "As I got further around the point there was large quantities of birds that were flying and alive, but then also an awful lot of dead ones. "It was to the point where you literally had to watch where you were stepping to avoid a pile of dead birds. "I started counting in the beginning … I lost count at over 100." The Department of Biodiversity, Conservations and Attractions said mass deaths were not unprecedented but this one was somewhat unusual. "While there have been groups of bird deaths in this area in the past, there appears to be higher numbers recorded than in previous years," a spokesperson said. Testing from Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has ruled out reportable diseases, including avian influenza. The disease has devastated bird populations across the world, including in Australia's eastern states. BirdLife Australia avian influenza response coordinator Tanya Loos said she was "cautiously pleased" that H5N1 strain of avian influenza had been ruled out. "[Avian influenza] is predicted to have some of the greatest impact, as we've seen overseas, and we know that species such as terns are particularly susceptible to H5N1," she said. Ms Loos said starvation could be a factor in the deaths and that large number of dead birds in one area was abnormal. "There's a lot of concerning things going on with ocean ecology at the moment, so we are watching events like this with a bit of trepidation," she said. DPIRD urged visitors and residents to report sightings of dead and sick birds. "Sightings of more than five sick or dead wild birds should be reported to DPIRD's Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888," a spokesperson said. "For fewer than five sick or dead wild birds, including any other sick, orphaned or injured wildlife, contact the Wildcare Helpline on 9474 9055."
Yahoo
03-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
The 'rule' Aussies must follow if they see one of world's rarest creatures
For the next three months, a lucky few will be rewarded with an extremely rare sight in two Australian states. One of the world's most threatened birds has migrated from Tasmania to Victoria and South Australia, but just 18 have been seen. Orange-bellied parrots are remarkably hard to spot. But if you do see one, then there's a very important rule you'll be asked to follow — don't tell anyone where you saw it. Ryan Kilgower, the orange-bellied parrot coordinator at BirdLife Australia, explained it's 'definitely frowned upon' to reveal the specific location on social media. 'It's OK to tell a friend, but we don't want the general public knowing,' he told Yahoo News. Listed as critically endangered, any disturbance to the species could push it to the precipice of extinction in the wild. Habitat destruction and feral animals have historically been the species' greatest threats, and because so few remain, it has lost more than 60 percent of its genetic diversity over the last 200 years. Looking to the future, there are concerns that the birds could be impacted by a controversial plan to build a $1.6 billion wind farm on Robbins Island, at Tasmania's northeastern tip. The remote island sits in the path of their migration route. Federal environment minister Murray Watt is expected to rule on the plan in August. In the 1980s, there were likely several thousand orange-bellied parrots in the wild, but less than a decade ago, numbers dwindled to just 17 birds. Today, thanks to a captive breeding program, the population has bounced back slightly, and 172 birds left their homeland in Tasmania during their annual migration to the mainland in April. 🏡 Ominous sign for Australia's cities after deadly discovery in New Zealand ⛏️ Reason tradies faced 'absolute challenge' fixing deceptively simple old hut 📸 Rare colour footage of extinct Australian animal seen again after 90 years The species is known to congregate in a single location in Tasmania, but very little is known about where they congregate on the mainland before they fly home in September and October. And so BirdLife Australia is calling on anyone who's confident they've spotted one to confidentially report it on their website here. 'These birds return every year to the same places, and if we can locate new sites, we'll be able to better protect them,' Kilgower said. 'If they're only utilising a very small area, we'd be able to set traps for foxes and cats… or do restoration work.' The only location that's been made public is the Western Treatment Plant, known locally as the Werribee sewage farm, where access is strictly controlled. Details of the other six locations are kept more general to keep the birds safe — South Australia, South-West Victoria, Bellarine Peninsula, Port Phillip, Western Port Bay/Bass Coast and South Gippsland. While BirdLife Australia needs the public's help to locate the birds on the mainland, it's also important that it isn't flooded with reports of the wrong species. They are extremely hard to identify, and so it's issued some advice. To begin with, they're only roughly the size of a budgie, and they blend in perfectly with the shrubby landscape they like to inhabit, making them hard to spot. You'll see them eating seeds close to the ground or flying between feeding sites. What makes them hard to spot is that they appear 'virtually identical' to the more common blue-winged parrots, of which thousands remain, and are also quite similar to red-rock parrots and elegant parrots. 'Orange-bellied parrots look more like a tennis ball because they're super bright green, whereas the blue-winged parrot is more olive in colour,' Kilgower said. 'There are a few other key differences. The blue-winged parrot has a bit of yellow in its face, but the orange-bellied parrot is very green.' But if you want to narrow down your chances of spotting one, BirdLife Australia advises to start looking in areas within a few kilometres of the ocean. They are known to enjoy coastal salt marshes around rivers, but there is still a lot to learn about how many other types of environments they can survive in. Time of day is also an important factor. Most sightings occur between 8 and 10am or 1pm until sunset. While seeing a little green parrot may not excite everyone, Kilgower has witnessed the excitement that observing one of these rare creatures can spark. 'There are so few left in the wild and it can be quite spectacular for people the first time they see one,' he said. 'It can be quite enjoyable to watch other people's faces, and how much they enjoy seeing them.' Ryan Kilgower is funded by DEECA's Icon Species Program. Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
