Dire plight of Honeyeater and Swift Parrot

The Swift ParrotThe Swift Parrot

The plight of the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater and the Swift Parrot has been highlighted by the recent, twice annual survey of bird numbers held on August 5 and 6 on the Central Coast. 

“Sadly not one was located” said Birding NSW Central Coast spokesperson Allan Benson.

“The estimated Australian population of the Regent Honeyeaters is downto only about 400 birds, while there are an estimated 3,600 Swift Parrots” Mr Benson said.

“The Regent Honeyeater numbers crashed during the drought of the 2000s and have not recovered” said Mr Alan Morris, the Guardian for the Key Biodiversity Areas of Brisbane Water.

The Brisbane Water Key Biodiversity Area is important not only for the Swift Parrots and Regent Honeyeaters, but also for the Black Swans, Chestnut Teal and migratory shorebirds in addition to the Bush Stone-Curlew.

 

Source: Media release, August 8, Allan Benson, Birding NSW Central Coast