A record-breaking season for Orange-bellied Parrots

Critically Endangered Orange-bellied Parrots on the move and on the up in 2024

Twenty-one Orange-bellied Parrots have been recorded on mainland Australia in 2024, in the highest count in a decade.

The Critically Endangered Orange-bellied Parrot is one of only three migratory parrot species worldwide. Twice a year, these tiny and remarkable parrots make the long and arduous journey across Bass Strait – departing their summer breeding grounds in south-western Tasmania and travelling more than 1,000km to spend autumn and winter in coastal Victoria and South Australia.

However, there’s still a lot we don’t know about their mainland movements. That’s why volunteers search for Orange-bellied Parrots across thousands of kilometres of coastline each year to help researchers better understand their migration and habitat preferences.

In Victoria, a total of ten birds were recorded at the Western Treatment Plant throughout the non-breeding season, including nine wild-born birds. On the nearby Bellarine Peninsula, volunteers counted a total of eight individuals (including six wild-born birds) over several count weekends.

Meanwhile, three adult males were counted in South Australia. This is especially exciting, given there were no confirmed sightings in the state from 2013 to 2021 and only a few records in recent years.

Of the 21 individuals recorded on the mainland, all but three were identifiable by their unique coloured leg bands. Several of the birds were also fitted with electronic nanotags to help track their movements.

More good news for one of our rarest birds

Orange-bellied Parrots began their southern migration in October. As of early December, volunteers have so far counted 88 Orange-bellied Parrots that have returned to Melaleuca to court and nest – including 60 wild-born and 28 captive-bred birds.

There are high hopes for this year’s breeding season, following last year’s record-breaking 74 fledglings from 33 nest-boxes: the highest number and proportion of nests recorded in the wild since monitoring began in 1993.

In preparation for the breeding season, the Tasmanian Government’s Orange-bellied Parrot Program has installed nest-boxes at Melaleuca and surrounding areas. In October, two cohorts of captive-bred birds were released into the wild to help boost their breeding population, and staff at the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania Wildlife Management Facility welcomed the first eggs of the season. So far, the captive breeding team have reported 15 nestlings this season.

All in all, it’s promising news for one of the world’s rarest birds. In 2016, Orange-bellied Parrots were teetering on the edge of extinction when their numbers plunged to just 17 birds – but today, their population is slowly increasing thanks to ongoing conservation and captive-breeding efforts.

The Victorian Orange-bellied Parrot Winter Surveys are coordinated by BirdLife Australia, Nature Glenelg Trust and the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

Find the latest Orange-bellied Parrot news and updates here.

2024 Orange-bellied Parrot mainland survey results

South Australia

3 Orange-bellied Parrots counted in total, including:

• 3 adult males
• 2 wild-born birds, and
• 1 captive-bred bird.

Victoria

Bellarine Peninsula
8 Orange-bellied Parrots counted in total, including:

• 6 wild-born birds (3 unbanded)
• 2 captive-bred birds
• 4 adult males
• 2 adult females
• 2 juveniles (first-year birds)

Western Treatment Plant
10 Orange-bellied Parrots counted in total:

• 9 wild-born birds
• 1 captive-bred bird
• 4 adult males
• 1 adult female
• 5 juveniles