Rare bird hatches in suburban Perth

Tucked away high in the branches of a white gum tree at Murdoch University, in a painstakingly designed nesting box, is the bundle of feathers that set Ron Johnstone’s heart racing.

The endangered forest red-tailed black cockatoo chick was the first hatching in suburban Perth in his 15 years of research, as well as the first time the birds had bred in an artificial nest.

“It was quite staggering to us,” Adjunct Professor Johnstone, curator of ornithology at the WA Museum, said.

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Colorful Boundary Trespassers: Burrowing Parrots Crossed the Andes 120,000 Years Ago

Burrowing parrots at a feeding place. These parrots originated in the steppes of the Andean slopes in Chile, from where they expanded to Patagonia reaching as far as the Atlantic Ocean. (Credit: Fabián Llanos)

The Andes of southern South America form a hostile mountain range with glaciers, salty deserts and high elevation steppes. Birds from more moderate climate zones cross this mountain range only rarely. Nevertheless, many species live on both sides of the Andes, as in the case of the burrowing parrot Cyanoliseus patagonus.

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Forest department nabs dealers, rescues parrots

Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria)

CHENNAI: Till Monday, Senthil Kumar, a vegetable vendor at the Koyembedu wholesale market was a proud owner of a pair of Alexandrine Parakeet birds. The 28-year-old youth feeds them, speaks to the pair and provided everything to comfort the parrots. But, his unmatched love towards the pet birds could land Senthil Kumar behind the bars, as Alexandrine Parakeet is a scheduled bird under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. A sleuth from the Department of Forest rescued the parrots and framed charges against him two days ago.

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Potty-mouthed parrot needs new home

Monty the macaw eats a strawberry Thursday at the Edmonton Humane Society. (CBC)

The Edmonton Humane Society is trying to find a home for an unusual pet — Monty, a middle-aged parrot that has a bit of a salty tongue.

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Investigations into "kaka problem"

NAUGHTY NEIGHBOUR: Researchers are looking for ways to manage conflict between birds, residents and business owners. Image by Duncan

Researchers hope a study of Wellington's kaka and feral pigeon populations will shed light on the sometimes tense relationship between people and wildlife in urban areas.

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