Coxen’s Fig Parrot Conservation
The Fig parrots are a small, predominantly green, stocky parrot that, as their name suggests, mainly eat figs. The Coxen’s Fig parrot is found in south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales. Over the past two decades, targeted surveys have recorded very few birds, however members of the public continue to report incidental sightings.
Estimates suggest that only 100 mature Coxen’s Fig parrot remain in the wild. The threat of greatest concern to the Coxen’s Fig parrot is habitat destruction and degradation, however disease and stochastic events such as drought may also play a role in the species’ decline.
Protecting the Coxen’s Fig Parrot in the wild
Due to the elusive nature of the Coxen’s Fig parrot, the conservation work for this species is focused on locating individuals within their known habitat using acoustic monitoring equipment. The recovery team is focused on developing audio recognition software to analyse the acoustic data for the call of the Coxen’s Fig parrot.
This software will enable the Recovery Team to identify Coxen’s Fig parrot localities. Coxen’s Fig parrot sightings are still being reported in the region and these sightings help to identify the focal areas for the acoustic monitoring.
Saving the Coxen’s Fig Parrot through specialist care breeding
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has been a member of the Coxen’s Fig parrot Recovery Team since it was formed in 1993. The establishment of a breeding program was recommended in all three published recovery plans for the Coxen’s Fig parrot, however due to the scarcity and sporadic nature of Coxen’s Fig parrot sightings, it has not yet been possible.
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary has established husbandry and breeding methodology for a closely related species, the Macleay’s Fig parrot, which has formed the guidelines for husbandry of the Coxen’s Fig parrot. In addition, a number of breeding pairs of the Macleay’s Fig parrot are maintained at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary to act as surrogate parents for Coxen’s Fig parrot eggs should the need arise.
How you can help save the Coxen’s Fig Parrot
Report Sightings
Coxen’s Fig parrot sightings are still being reported in the region and these sightings help to identify the focal areas for the acoustic monitoring.
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We respectfully acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the greater Yugambeh language region, the Country on which Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary and Hospital are situated today. We recognise their continuing connections to the land, sky, waters (waterways), and wildlife. We thank them for caring for this Country and its ecosystems.
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