Fed: One of Aust's rarest birds sighted

AAP General News (Australia)
02-12-2004
Fed: One of Aust's rarest birds sighted

CANBERRA, Feb 12 AAP - Efforts are being made to track down one of Australia's rarest
birds following a recent sighting in Queensland, the federal government said today.

Federal Environment Minister David Kemp confirmed he had been told of a sighting of
the Coxens double-eyed fig-parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni) on the Burnett River,
which enters the sea just north of Maryborough.

The NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service says there are probably no more than 100
mature individuals of this subspecies remaining, and it is listed as critically endangered.

It says numbers of the fig-eating parrot are probably still declining and the population
is severely fragmented, with no subpopulation of more than 50 individuals.

The bird is believed to exist in isolated populations in both Queensland and New South Wales.

Opposition environment spokesman Kelvin Thomson asked Dr Kemp what action was being
taken to follow up the Burnett River sighting.

Dr Kemp said the government was liaising with Queensland water supply developer Burnett
Water Pty Ltd on proposed surveys to be conducted in the area for the sub-species during
2004.

"If the sighting is substantiated the government will consider what further action
is required to protect the sub-species," he said.

Burnett Water's website says the company was established by the Queensland government
in 2001 to develop dams and water supply projects.

AAP dep/sb/gjr/jlw

KEYWORD: PARROT

2004 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.