Night Parrot, Geopsittacus occidentalis

Problem:
The Night Parrot was once known to live in most of inland Australia.  However, no specimens had been collected since 1912.  Its rediscovery in 1990 revitalised hopes of its continued survival, but the species' habitat requirements and the threats to its conservation are still unknown.

Background Information:
Until recently Night Parrots were presumed by many to be ‘technically' extinct.  This was because they had not been recorded within the last 50 years.  Some respected ornithologists were pronouncing it ‘exterminated' as early as 1915.  More cautious observers listed its current status as ‘uncertain'.

Research:
In 1990 a road-killed Night Parrot was accidentally discovered by three ornithologists returning from an Australian Museum field trip to northern Australia.  This was after decades of unverified sightings.  For this discovery Dick Smith awarded the Australian Museum $50,000 toward further Night Parrot research.

Solution:
Before remaining populations of Night Parrots can be managed; information is needed on habitat requirements and threats to the species.  These parrots are very difficult to find.  Therefore, their discovery is still likely to be chancy even with active, costly, detailed surveys.

The next species is the Southern Cassowary