Western Ground Parrot

*For eastern ground parrot click here*

## About

A western ground parrot in a tree.

The western ground parrot ***(Pezoprus flaviventris)*** (or kyloring, as it is known in the Noongar language) is a ground-dwelling parrot species native to Australia. Almost identical to the eastern ground parrot ***(Pezoporus wallicus)***, the western ground parrot bares a lime green body speckled with back and yellow stripe-like markings across the back which transition to an almost exclusive yellow on the breast. The faces are also similar, with both species adorning a red bar above their nares, grey to black bill and large eyes with gold irises. A way to distinguish the two species is the plumage, where western ground parrots have much more yellow breasts/chests, signifying the name "*flaviventris"*, meaning "*golden-yellow belly"*. Due to the identicality of the birds, the western ground parrot was considered to be a subspecies of the eastern ground parrot since 1912, until molecular studies in 2010 proved otherwise. The western ground parrot can grow to 30cm (11.8in) and can weigh between 84-110g (2.9-3.8oz).

## Diet

Western ground parrots are herbivorous parrots that forage on the ground, as their name suggests. During the day, they forage for flowers/flower buds, seeds, nuts and other plant matter under the cover of typically dense vegetation. They may even eat semi-succulent species. Western ground parrots have a varied diet, that greatly depends on the perceived diversity of their ecosystem. They most often forage with the company of another parrot.

## Conservation Status

The western ground parrot is a critically endangered species and one of the world's most endangered/rare birds. The species' sharp decline is attributed to mainly frequent fires accelerated by climate change, which destroy valuable habitat and invasive predation by feral cats ***(Felis catus)*** and red foxes ***(Vulpes vulpes)***. Other invasive species like hoof-stock, invasive weeds and ***(Phytophthora cinnamomi)*** also cause habitat degradation and dieback disease respectively. Juvenile mortality through predation of eggs and chicks by invasive red imported ants ***(Solenopsis invicta)*** may also be prevalent.

## Range and Population

Western ground parrots inhabit only the southern coast of Western Australia however, historical records suggest that the species once covered a greater western area ranging from Perth to Geraldton however, this range appears to have been wiped out by 1900. Western ground parrots are almost exclusively terrestrial and inhabit lowlands and secure (typically unburnt) heathlands. Today, the species only exists in Cape Arid National Park-Nuytsland Nature Reserve and Fitzgerald National Park. In the former, the population was recorded to be only 75 individuals in 1990 however, as of 2006, the population had increased slightly to 90 individuals. Conversely, a survey conducted in Fitzgerald National Park found 303 birds in the sanctuary in 1990 however, a 2006 survey only found <85 birds. Finally, a population survey also conducted in 1998 in the Manypeaks/Waychinicups area found only around 29 birds however, in the following years of 2001-2003, only four individuals were ever found. This suggests the regional extinction of the species in the area. The total population was recorded as less than 150 by 2010 and it is still in decline. Recently, multiple monitored birds have been released near the east of Albany, a coastal Western Australian town. This translocation could prove difficult however, it may be necessary to the survival of the species.

## Behaviour

An elusive species, the western ground parrot is rarely seen because they uncommonly call or fly during daylight hours, preferring to become more active around dusk. When threatened, the ground parrot will flee, flying low above the grass in a zigzagging pattern before landing a short distance away. The breeding season is unknown however, fledglings have been reported between the spring months of September and November. A male-female pair will settle in what is known as a 'mate-feeding arena' where the male will feed the female. When attempting to get his attention, the female will emit a short beckoning call. will arrive at late dusk to feed her and will loudly call afterwards. Later into their relationship, the male will feed her less often until he eventually stops, resulting in the female chasing him around for more food. In hotter and drier months, the male may have crop-maneuverability issues, due to lack of water sources, resulting in less feeding. After the feeding, the female will remain in the arena on the ground, while the male will roost elsewhere, around 400m (1,300ft) from the site. The nest itself is a small depression in the ground, it is lined with vegetation and grasses. The female will lay up to five small white eggs in the nest however, the male is thought to tend to the young post fledging. Little is known about how the young are raised, as they have only been spotted twice in the span of the last 90 or so years. Until the 30th of November 2018, an actual western ground parrot nesting site had not been discovered since 1913.

### Relationship with Humans

Climate change has proven to effect the western ground parrot, as fires increase in frequency, destroying more valuable parrot habitat.

## In Captivity

A small group of western ground parrots are kept at Perth Zoo. The zoo has not only made an effort to better document the species' behaviour -through the use of 24-7 CCTV cameras- but it has also raised awareness for the species nation wide.

## Sources

* Western Ground Parrot | Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western\_ground\_parrot
* Saving Kyloring | Friends of the Western Ground Parrot - https://western-ground-parrot.org.au/
* Ground-breaking translocation of WA's rarest bird | Government of Western Australia, Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions - https://www.dbca.wa.gov.au/news/2021/ground-breaking-translocation-was-rarest-bird
* Western Ground Parrot | Birdlife Australia - https://birdlife.org.au/bird-profiles/western-ground-parrot/
* Approved Conservation Advice for Pezoporus wallicus flaviventirs | Australian Government - http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/species/pubs/84650-conservation-advice.pdf
* Western Ground Parrot Breeding Program | Perth Zoo - https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au/western-ground-parrot-breeding-program