6 thoughts on “Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis): Revise global status?”
I agree with the proposed change. The data that has emerged has increased the number of populations but all are very small and many have subsequently not been relocated so birds have presumably perished or moved. The picture is emerging of a mobile species that seems to show high territorial fidelity. This predisposes it to the impacts of fire, grazing and invasive species. The estimated population size seems reasonable to me based on our current knowledge.
Recent discoveries have significantly advanced our understanding of this species’ historical distribution, subsequent decline, and likely current distribution. However, it is still extremely difficult to make robust conclusions about its current status. So far, all detections have been of very small populations occurring at very low density, with significant gaps likely between populations. The remote areas where these birds occur makes comprehensive survey effort difficult, and it will likely take a decade or more to truly understand the bird’s status. Given the large area over which the species occurs, it is possible that the current population comprises more than 250 individuals, but in the absence of robust data, it is prudent to presume an effective population smaller than this, especially as so few individuals have been definitively detected (probably fewer than 50). Given there is no direct management of threats at most sites where the species occurs, and research suggests that local populations are particularly prone to stochastic events, it is probable the species is undergoing a continuing, although very gradual decline. With so much uncertainty, the precautionary principle must apply, and a classification of Critically Endangered is warranted.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested by so many people in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 21 February 2022. We will now analyse and interpret the new information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’s Red List status on this page on 21 February 2022, when discussions will re-open.
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2022.1 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 27 February 2022, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2022.1 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in July 2022, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested by so many people in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the new information, and we will post a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 7 March 2022.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Night Parrot is recommended to be listed as Critically Endangered under Criterion C2a(i).
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2022.1 GTB Forum process. The final 2022.1 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in July 2022, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
I agree with the proposed change. The data that has emerged has increased the number of populations but all are very small and many have subsequently not been relocated so birds have presumably perished or moved. The picture is emerging of a mobile species that seems to show high territorial fidelity. This predisposes it to the impacts of fire, grazing and invasive species. The estimated population size seems reasonable to me based on our current knowledge.
Recent discoveries have significantly advanced our understanding of this species’ historical distribution, subsequent decline, and likely current distribution. However, it is still extremely difficult to make robust conclusions about its current status. So far, all detections have been of very small populations occurring at very low density, with significant gaps likely between populations. The remote areas where these birds occur makes comprehensive survey effort difficult, and it will likely take a decade or more to truly understand the bird’s status. Given the large area over which the species occurs, it is possible that the current population comprises more than 250 individuals, but in the absence of robust data, it is prudent to presume an effective population smaller than this, especially as so few individuals have been definitively detected (probably fewer than 50). Given there is no direct management of threats at most sites where the species occurs, and research suggests that local populations are particularly prone to stochastic events, it is probable the species is undergoing a continuing, although very gradual decline. With so much uncertainty, the precautionary principle must apply, and a classification of Critically Endangered is warranted.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested by so many people in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments until 21 February 2022. We will now analyse and interpret the new information, and we will post a preliminary decision on this species’s Red List status on this page on 21 February 2022, when discussions will re-open.
Preliminary proposal
Based on available information, our preliminary proposal for the 2022.1 Red List would be to adopt the proposed classifications outlined in the initial forum discussion.
There is now a period for further comments until the final deadline on 27 February 2022, after which the recommended categorisations will be put forward to IUCN.
The final 2022.1 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in July 2022, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.
Many thanks to everyone who has contributed to this discussion. We greatly appreciate the time and effort invested by so many people in commenting. The window for consultation is now closed and we are unable to accept any more comments. We will analyse and interpret the new information, and we will post a final decision on this species’ Red List status on this page on 7 March 2022.
Recommended categorisation to be put forward to IUCN
The final categorisation for this species has not changed. Night Parrot is recommended to be listed as Critically Endangered under Criterion C2a(i).
Many thanks for everyone who contributed to the 2022.1 GTB Forum process. The final 2022.1 Red List categories will be published on the BirdLife and IUCN websites in July 2022, following further checking of information relevant to the assessments by both BirdLife and IUCN.