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Double-eyed Fig Parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma)

The Double-eyed Fig Parrot, in this profile referring to the critically endangered Coxen's Fig-Parrot, is a small, cryptic parrot of subtropical rainforest, dry rainforest and fig-rich forest remnants in south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales. It matters on development sites because clearing or isolating mature fig trees, rainforest remnants and decaying nest trees can remove feeding and breeding habitat for a population estimated at only 50 to 250 birds.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Critically endangered.

Queensland, Nature Conservation Act 1992: Critically endangered.

New South Wales, Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016: Critically endangered.

Breeding season

Timing varies with local fruiting conditions and may differ between lowland and higher areas. The following pattern reflects the available guidance for the species across its known range.

The timing is indicative rather than a substitute for site surveys. Because records are rare and breeding biology is poorly known, potential nest trees and active feeding trees should be treated cautiously outside the peak period as well.

  • Movement and foraging: Birds may move seasonally or locally in response to fruit availability. From August to February, some may follow ripening fruit to higher elevations. Lowland figs may have a winter fruiting peak.
  • Nest construction: Nest construction is thought to begin in August and uses rotten wood in a decaying limb or trunk of a living or dead tree.
  • Breeding and laying: Breeding is thought to occur mainly from October to December or January, with a likely clutch of two eggs.
  • Young in nest and fledging: Incubation is about three weeks and young remain dependent in the nest for about five to six weeks, based largely on information from related forms.
  • Small groups and winter feeding: Small parties of up to seven birds are reported more often outside the breeding season, particularly in winter. Birds may search widely for lowland figs and other fruit.
  • Highest clearing risk: Clearing and disturbance are most likely to harm the species from August to January because nest construction, breeding, incubation and dependent young may overlap this period. January can include dependent young from late-season nests.

Identification

Coxen's Fig-Parrot is a small, short-tailed, dumpy green parrot with a large head and bill. It is quiet and difficult to detect when feeding, so identification should combine visual features with calls and signs beneath fruiting trees.

Adults are about 16 cm long. The upperparts are green and the underparts yellowish-green, with yellow on the sides of the upper breast and flanks. The wings are green, with dark blue outer primary sections and dark grey inner sections. The bill is pale grey with a dark grey or black tip, and the eye is brown.

The male has a distinctive blue forehead with some red feathers, an orange-red cheek patch and a mauve-blue band below the cheek. The female is similar but has a smaller blue forehead patch, less or no red on the forehead, and a smaller, duller orange-red cheek patch.

Body length: About 16 cm.

Weight: Not provided in the supplied documents.

Identification: Similar species

In flight or poor light, it may be confused with Little Lorikeet, Musk Lorikeet or Scaly-breasted Lorikeet. Look for the short tail, blue rather than green outerwings, pale underwing stripe, red dorsal spots near the upperwing and the distinctive red and blue face pattern.

Its calls are more disyllabic than those of Little Lorikeet. Perched birds are normally unmistakable when seen clearly, but reliable identification should consider the location, habitat and call.

Identification: Field signs and detection

The species feeds quietly and moves swiftly along branches. Observers may notice a continual fall of fig pulp or other fruit debris beneath a feeding tree before seeing the bird.

The birds are more likely to be heard than seen. They may give quiet chattering calls when feeding and can be noisy in flight. Search for birds, feeding debris and potential nest trees around fruiting figs, especially in early morning and late afternoon.

The nest is a chamber excavated in rotten wood in a decaying limb or trunk of a living or dead tree. No reliable species-specific nest entrance dimensions, track, scat, slough, eyeshine or roost sign are provided.

  • Inspect the ground beneath fruiting figs for fresh strips and pieces of fruit.
  • Listen for diagnostic calls around potential feeding and nesting trees.
  • Treat a suspected bird, call or nest tree as significant and arrange verification by an appropriately qualified ecologist.

Distribution

The Coxen's form is endemic to a restricted part of coastal eastern Australia. Reliable records are sparse, scattered and difficult to interpret because the bird is cryptic and many reports lack photographs, recordings or nest evidence.

The known range extends from around Rockhampton in central Queensland to the Richmond River in north-east New South Wales. Records extend west to the Bunya Mountains, Main Ranges, Richmond Range and Koreelah Range.

The NSW review describes the core range as coastal south-east Queensland, north to Bundaberg, and the Border Ranges and Big Scrub areas of extreme north-east New South Wales. Some further-south records have not been substantiated.

  • Queensland records include Thompson Point, the southern Blackall Range and foothills, Lamington National Park, the upper Mary Valley, Craignish and Forest Glen.
  • New South Wales records include Cougal, Dunoon, Huonbrook, Richmond Range National Park and Limpinwood Nature Reserve.

Distribution: Subpopulations and population

Records are clumped into up to four areas, with habitat gaps between them. The recent assessment recommends treating the species as one important population for conservation planning because the subpopulations may mix and the total number of mature birds is very low.

Estimated mature individuals: 50 used for the recent assessment; plausible range 50 to 250.

Estimated subpopulations: Up to four, with one to four considered plausible in the recent assessment.

Extent of occurrence: About 66,000 km², with a plausible range of 64,000 to 70,000 km².

Area of occupancy: About 268 km², with a plausible range of 56 to 500 km².

Population trend: The recent assessment recorded the trend as stable, but the estimate is very uncertain. Historical assessments considered the population likely to be declining.

NSW subpopulations: The NSW review identified two likely NSW areas, the Levers Plateau, Koreelah Range, Richmond Range and western Border Ranges area, and the Mount Warning, Nightcap Range and former Big Scrub area.

Habitat: Habitat types

The species is associated with subtropical and dry rainforest and with connected or scattered fig-rich habitats. Habitat use can extend beyond intact forest, but the presence of suitable fruiting trees and nest trees is important.

Recorded or inferred habitat includes lowland subtropical rainforest, dry rainforest, littoral and developing littoral rainforest, sub-littoral mixed scrub, riparian corridors in woodland, open woodland, cleared land, and urban or agricultural areas containing fig trees.

The NSW review identifies lowland subtropical rainforest and gallery forest with abundant fleshy-fruited trees as key habitat. These forests have been extensively cleared, logged and fragmented.

Habitat: Structural features

Important habitat features include abundant native figs, other fleshy-fruited trees, connected rainforest or riparian vegetation, and living or dead trees with rotten limbs or trunks suitable for nest excavation.

Habitat critical to survival has not been defined formally under section 207A of the EPBC Act. The supplied documents do not provide a reliable elevation limit, minimum patch size, canopy height or tree diameter threshold.

  • Retain mature and fruiting Ficus trees, including isolated trees in otherwise cleared or developed areas.
  • Retain riparian and rainforest links between feeding areas where practicable.
  • Protect large living and dead trees with decaying limbs or trunks until their potential as nest trees has been assessed.

Habitat: Climate and elevation

The species has been reported in lowland coastal habitats and may move to higher elevations between August and February as ripening fruit progresses through rainforest. The documents do not establish a fixed upper or lower elevation boundary.

Drought can reduce fig production and create seasonal gaps in food. Increased drought, heatwaves and fire weather are expected to affect the species and its habitat.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Coxen's Fig-Parrot feeds mainly in fruiting trees and may use isolated figs in cleared, agricultural or urban settings. Feeding is quiet, fast and often detected from fruit debris rather than direct observation.

The main food is seed from native rainforest figs, including Ficus species. The diet also includes fruit from other native and introduced trees, nectar, lichen and insect larvae within fruit.

The species may follow local fruiting patterns. Lowland figs are described as having a winter fruiting peak, while birds may move to progressively higher elevations from August to February as fruit ripens through rainforest.

Foraging habitat: Foraging behaviour and range

Birds are usually seen singly or in pairs at fruiting trees. Small parties of up to seven birds are more often reported in the non-breeding season, particularly in winter.

There is no reliable estimate of home range or routine flight distance. The species is mobile and may be a seasonal altitudinal migrant or local nomad when not breeding. Fragmentation can impede movement between feeding areas and increase gaps in food availability.

  • Inspect native and introduced figs and other fleshy-fruited trees within and near the development footprint.
  • Check for fresh fruit debris below the canopy and listen during early morning and late afternoon watches.
  • Include isolated food trees and trees along riparian corridors in habitat assessments, not only continuous rainforest.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding biology is poorly known for Coxen's Fig-Parrot and is inferred partly from other subspecies. Potential nest trees remain important even where no nest is currently visible.

The nest is excavated in rotten wood in a decaying limb or trunk of a living or dead tree, in or near rainforest. Breeding information for Coxen's form is limited, and a previously reported clutch was misidentified.

The breeding season is thought to run from spring into early summer, with nest construction beginning in August and breeding mainly from October to December or January.

Nest construction: Thought to begin in August.

Breeding period: Mainly October to December or January.

Clutch size: Probably two eggs. Other subspecies-based information suggests two to three eggs.

Incubation: About 20 to 24 days in captive information for another subspecies, or about three weeks in the NSW review.

Nestling or fledging period: Young are reported to fledge about 36 to 42 days after hatching in captive information for another subspecies. The NSW review gives a nestling period of five to six weeks.

Age at maturity: Not provided in the supplied documents.

Lifespan: Not provided in the supplied documents.

Generation length: Estimated at 4.4 years in the recent assessment. An earlier NSW assessment used 2 years.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat features

Potential breeding habitat includes rainforest edges and lowland forest containing living or dead trees with decaying limbs or trunks that can be excavated. Large trees in lowland forests have been reduced by clearing and logging.

No reliable nest-tree diameter, cavity dimensions or nest height are provided. A suspected nest tree should therefore be retained and assessed rather than excluded because it does not meet an assumed size threshold.

  • Search potential nesting trees during the breeding season, especially near recent credible records and fruiting trees.
  • Avoid clearing or damaging decaying limbs and trunks until a nest inspection has been completed by a suitably qualified person.
  • Maintain nearby food trees and vegetation links because breeding pairs are thought to centre territories on food trees.

Sheltering habitat: Nest and refuge features

The supplied documents provide little evidence about roosts or non-breeding shelters. They identify nest chambers in decaying wood and describe birds using rainforest, riparian vegetation and fig trees.

Breeding shelter is a chamber excavated in rotten wood within a decaying limb or trunk of a living or dead tree. There are no reliable measurements for the chamber, entrance, tree diameter or height.

Coxen's Fig-Parrot is usually seen in pairs and sometimes in small parties of up to seven birds. No communal roosts have been reported for this form, although the lack of records may reflect its very low abundance.

  • Retain standing dead trees, dead limbs and living trees with decaying wood where they occur near suitable rainforest or fig-rich habitat.
  • Protect dense rainforest, riparian corridors and connected vegetation that can provide cover between feeding trees.
  • Do not rely on the absence of a visible roost or nest to demonstrate that a tree or patch is unused.

Sheltering habitat: Site inspection

For potential nest and shelter trees, inspect for recent excavation, fresh wood chips, calls, birds entering or leaving cavities, and feeding activity in nearby figs. The documents do not describe species-specific tracks, scats, sloughs, eyeshine or ground refuges.

Threats: Clearing and fragmentation

The main development risks are the removal and isolation of fig-rich habitat and the loss of decaying nest trees. Because the population is extremely small, removal of a single breeding or feeding site may have consequences beyond the footprint of the individual tree.

Historical clearing of lowland subtropical rainforest for agriculture and housing, followed by rainforest logging, caused extensive habitat loss and fragmentation. Remaining feeding grounds are disjunct, which can make food harder to find and expose birds to predators when crossing open areas.

Clearing, road construction and infrastructure works can remove fruiting figs, riparian links, rainforest remnants and potential nest trees. Fragmentation can also reduce movement between seasonal food sources.

  • Avoid clearing native figs and other fleshy-fruited trees, including isolated trees in agricultural, urban and cleared settings.
  • Retain links between rainforest remnants, riparian corridors and fig-rich feeding areas.
  • Survey potential feeding and nesting trees before finalising the clearing boundary.

Threats: Food shortage and climate

Seasonal gaps in food availability may be increased by fragmentation and drought. Drought can reduce fig production, while climate change is expected to increase the frequency and duration of droughts and the likelihood of heatwaves, wildfire and other extreme events.

Fire can damage rainforest, food trees and nest trees. The supplied documents do not provide a species-specific fire interval or prescribed burning regime.

  • Protect existing food trees during construction and maintain their access to light, water and pollinators where practicable.
  • Restore or revegetate suitable sites with food plants that provide fruit across different parts of the year.
  • Plan fire management to avoid damaging rainforest remnants, mature figs and trees with decaying limbs or trunks.

Threats: Weeds, disease and collection

Invasive weeds can reduce habitat quality, suppress regeneration and alter the floristic structure of rainforest. Listed examples include Cat's Claw Creeper, Camphor Laurel, Madeira Vine, Balloon Vine, Large-leaved Privet, Small-leaved Privet, Wandering Dew, Coral Berry, Asparagus Fern, Mickey Mouse Plant and Dutchman's Pipe.

Psittacine beak and feather disease is not known to have affected the Coxen's population, but the species may be susceptible. A disease event affecting only a few breeding birds could have a major effect because the population is so small. Illegal collection of birds or eggs is also a suspected threat.

  • Control weeds without damaging retained figs, rainforest regeneration or potential nest trees.
  • Report suspected illegal collection and do not disclose sensitive nest or sighting locations more widely than needed for protection and verification.
  • Apply appropriate hygiene and disease reporting procedures when handling parrots, nest material or captive birds, and seek specialist advice if a sick or dead bird is found.

Survey methodology: 1. Search potential feeding and nesting trees

Coxen’s Fig-Parrot is quiet, cryptic and difficult to detect. Surveys should focus on lowland subtropical rainforest, dry rainforest, littoral rainforest, riparian corridors, fragmented woodland and cleared or developed areas containing fruiting fig trees.

Search suitable habitat for native figs and other fruiting trees, potential nesting trees and recent signs of feeding.

Look for falling fruit debris and fruit strips beneath trees, because birds may be detected by feeding remains rather than by sight.

Recommended effort: 20 hours over 5 days for area searches

Most useful habitat features: Fruiting fig trees and decaying limbs or trunks suitable for nest excavation

  • Conduct area searches for 20 hours over 5 days at potential feeding and nesting trees.
  • Give priority to lowland rainforest and gallery forest with abundant fleshy-fruited trees, particularly Ficus species.
  • Record tree species, fruiting condition, signs of feeding, decaying limbs or trunks and any birds or calls detected.

Survey methodology: 2. Watch and listen at dawn and dusk

Coxen’s Fig-Parrot is quiet and unobtrusive when feeding, but may be heard more readily than seen. Its calls are described as diagnostic.

Birds are usually seen in pairs or small parties of up to seven, and may be more likely to move between feeding trees during the cooler parts of the day.

Recommended targeted effort: 15 hours over 4 days

Preferred observation periods: Dawn and dusk

Typical group size: Pairs or small parties of up to seven

  • Conduct 15 hours of targeted searches over 4 days at dawn and dusk where potential feeding or nesting trees have been located.
  • Watch focal trees with binoculars from a position that allows the canopy and ground beneath the tree to be observed.
  • Listen for chattering calls and watch for birds flying over the canopy, particularly during early morning and late afternoon.
  • Avoid relying on a single visit because the species is cryptic, mobile and potentially affected by local fruit availability.

Survey methodology: 3. Time surveys around movement and breeding periods

The species may move seasonally or locally in response to ripening fruit. Lowland figs are reported to have a winter fruiting peak, while birds may follow ripening fruit to higher elevations from August to February.

Nest construction is thought to begin in August, with breeding from October to December or January.

Non-breeding survey period used in the guideline: January to July

Likely nest construction: From August

Likely breeding period: October to December or January

  • Where possible, conduct non-breeding surveys from January to July to identify recent feeding or nesting activity.
  • Conduct more intensive searches during the breeding period, from October to December or January, at the most probable nesting localities.
  • Repeat surveys when figs or other food trees change from non-fruiting to fruiting condition.
  • Treat a credible sighting, call record, feeding sign or suspected nest as a trigger for verification by an appropriately experienced ornithologist.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

  • Use both area searches and targeted dawn and dusk searches where suitable feeding or nesting trees occur.
  • Meet the guideline effort of 20 hours over 5 days for area searches and 15 hours over 4 days for targeted searches, unless the relevant regulator approves another design.
  • Document survey dates, start and finish times, weather, visibility, observers, search area, habitat condition, fruiting trees, calls, feeding debris, photographs and verification outcomes.
  • Record all credible observations, including negative results, and submit records to the relevant state wildlife database.
  • Report reliable records promptly to the project ecologist, relevant state environment agency and the Commonwealth threatened species contact where the record may affect an EPBC Act matter.
  • Do not use trapping, mist-netting or other capture methods unless they are specifically authorised and supported by a separate approved animal ethics and wildlife permit process.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise habitat loss

Plan the project around the species’ very small, scattered population and its dependence on fruiting trees and connected rainforest remnants. Avoid removing habitat that can be retained, and treat credible records as requiring immediate ecological review.

The species uses lowland subtropical rainforest, dry rainforest, littoral and developing littoral rainforest, riparian corridors, woodland, cleared land and urban or agricultural areas containing fig trees.

Habitat fragmentation can reduce connectivity between feeding areas and create gaps in food availability.

Key food: Native rainforest figs, other native and exotic fruit, nectar, lichen and insect larvae

Known range: Coastal south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales, with records extending from central Queensland to the Richmond River

  • Redesign the work footprint to retain native figs, other fruiting trees, rainforest remnants, riparian vegetation and decaying limbs or trunks that could contain nests.
  • Retain links between feeding areas wherever practicable, rather than leaving isolated trees or small disconnected remnants.
  • Keep machinery, access tracks, spoil, compounds and stockpiles outside retained habitat and beneath or beside known food trees.
  • Use a site-specific ecological buffer based on the tree, vegetation and disturbance risk, because the supplied documents do not specify a standard species buffer distance.
  • Treat any confirmed or credible record as a constraint requiring review of the work method and timing.

Before habitat disturbance: Check approvals and permits

The taxon is nationally listed under the EPBC Act and is listed as threatened in Queensland and New South Wales in the supplied profile. A project that may significantly affect habitat or individuals must be screened for approval requirements before works start.

Commonwealth status in the supplied profile: Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act

State status in the supplied profile: Critically Endangered in New South Wales and Queensland

  • Complete an EPBC Act self-assessment and refer the action to the Commonwealth where a significant impact on the nationally listed taxon may occur.
  • Check Queensland and New South Wales threatened species, vegetation clearing, wildlife handling and rehabilitation requirements where the project occurs in either state.
  • Confirm that the fauna spotter catcher, wildlife carer and veterinarian hold the permits or authorities required for capture, handling, transport and treatment.
  • Obtain approval before collecting, keeping, moving or photographing an animal in a way that requires handling.
  • Include the final approval conditions, survey findings and species-specific controls in the construction environmental management plan.

Before habitat disturbance: Plan timing and site preparation

The breeding period is thought to run from October to December or January, and nests may be excavated in rotting wood in a living or dead tree. The species may also move in response to fruit availability.

Potential nest structure: A chamber excavated in rotting wood in a decaying limb or trunk of a living or dead tree

Estimated generation length: 4.4 years in the Commonwealth assessment

  • Schedule clearing outside the likely breeding period where practicable, and obtain ecological advice before disturbing potential nest trees from August to January.
  • Stage clearing so retained habitat and feeding trees remain available while each work area is checked and released.
  • Complete the pre-clearance survey using the species-specific methods before vegetation removal, including searches of likely feeding and nesting trees.
  • Mark native figs, other fruiting trees, decaying limbs, dead trees and retained vegetation on construction plans and on the ground.
  • Install exclusion fencing where it can prevent machinery and workers entering retained habitat without creating a barrier to bird movement.
  • Brief all operators on the species’ appearance, quiet calls, feeding debris, stop-work triggers and reporting process.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery interface

Use active supervision whenever work approaches retained rainforest, food trees or potential nest trees. The spotter catcher must have authority to stop the activity and must work directly with the operator rather than inspecting the area after machinery has entered it.

The species can be overlooked because it feeds quietly and moves swiftly through branches. Daily controls must therefore cover both direct sightings and indirect signs.

  • Inspect exclusion fencing, retained trees, access routes and work limits before machinery starts each day.
  • Have the fauna spotter catcher walk the active work area and inspect the canopy, tree bases and ground beneath fruiting trees before clearing or excavation.
  • Keep the spotter catcher in direct communication with the machine operator and stop the machine before the spotter approaches a tree, limb or suspected nest.
  • Use staged clearing, with machinery removing vegetation only after the spotter catcher has released the defined work area.
  • Stop work if a Coxen’s Fig-Parrot is seen, heard, flushed, found injured or associated with a suspected nest or feeding tree.

During habitat disturbance: Handle habitat features carefully

This species excavates nests in rotting wood rather than relying only on existing hollows. Decaying limbs and trunks therefore require the same care as hollow-bearing trees.

Documented nesting feature: Rotting wood in a decaying limb or trunk of a living or dead tree

Documented priority food feature: Fruiting Ficus and other fleshy-fruited rainforest trees

  • Do not fell or dismantle a suspected nest tree, decaying limb or trunk until the spotter catcher and project ecologist have inspected it and released it.
  • Retain native figs, fruiting trees, rainforest vegetation, riparian corridors and connected habitat within the approved work limits.
  • If a tree or limb must be removed, inspect it progressively under the direction of the fauna spotter catcher and stop immediately if a nest, bird or fresh feeding sign is found.
  • Do not move logs, limbs or other potential nest material outside the approved work area unless the ecological management plan requires it.
  • Treat rocks, burrows and wetlands as general fauna features requiring inspection where they occur, but prioritise figs, rainforest vegetation and decaying wood because these are the features documented for this taxon.

During habitat disturbance: Respond to animals and stop-work events

  • Stop the immediate activity, establish a quiet exclusion area and allow the bird time to move away without pursuit.
  • Do not attempt capture unless the person is authorised, trained and acting under the project fauna management plan and relevant permit.
  • If capture is necessary, use the least stressful approved method and move the bird only to nearby retained habitat that provides suitable cover and food, following regulator advice.
  • If the bird is injured, contain it only when authorised and transfer it promptly to an approved wildlife carer or veterinarian.
  • Do not disturb a suspected nest, eggs or dependent young; obtain advice from the relevant wildlife authority before resuming work.
  • Resume work only after the spotter catcher and project ecologist have documented the event, confirmed the control response and released the area.

During habitat disturbance: Keep project records

  • Record each daily fauna inspection, work area released, exclusion zone, sighting, call, feeding sign, suspected nest, injury, capture, relocation and stop-work event.
  • For every record, note the date, time, coordinates, habitat, tree or feature involved, weather, observer, photographs and action taken.
  • Report a confirmed or credible record to the project ecologist and relevant state wildlife database, and assess whether the EPBC Act approval or referral position has changed.
  • Retain records with the construction environmental management plan and provide them to the regulator or approval holder when required.

After habitat disturbance: Complete post-clearance checks

Release a work area only after the site has been checked and controls have been reinstated. Post-clearance work should confirm that retained food trees, nesting features and movement links remain usable.

The species is easily missed during a single inspection, particularly where it is feeding quietly in the canopy.

  • Inspect the cleared edge, retained vegetation, fruiting trees and ground beneath trees after each clearing stage.
  • Check for injured or displaced birds, fresh feeding debris, calls, feathers, damaged nests and unauthorised removal of retained habitat features.
  • Keep exclusion fencing and no-go zones in place until the responsible ecologist confirms that the relevant construction risk has ended.
  • If a bird or nest is found after clearing, stop the affected activity and apply the same wildlife authority and veterinarian escalation process used during works.

After habitat disturbance: Monitor retained habitat

Relevant monitoring periods: January to July for non-breeding activity, and October to December or January for breeding activity

  • Monitor retained figs and other food trees for fruiting condition, feeding debris and bird activity during the project and through the agreed post-work period.
  • Repeat dawn and dusk listening and observation at retained habitat where the project removed or fragmented nearby vegetation.
  • Use the same survey records and locations throughout monitoring so changes in detections, habitat condition and connectivity can be assessed.
  • Investigate any decline in fruiting, weed invasion, fire damage or loss of connectivity and update the management response.

After habitat disturbance: Close out and report

Commonwealth population estimate used in the assessment: 50 mature individuals used as the precautionary estimate, with a plausible range of 50 to 250

  • Submit species records and survey results to the relevant state wildlife database.
  • Provide the approval holder and regulator with clearance maps, habitat retained, incidents, relocations, injuries, stop-work events and corrective actions.
  • Confirm that any approved offset, restoration or habitat protection commitment has been funded, mapped and assigned to a responsible manager.
  • Keep a watching brief for credible reports because the Commonwealth assessment identifies low and scattered sightings and a very small estimated population.

Rehabilitation actions: Restore food trees and connectivity

Rehabilitation should restore a connected supply of fruiting trees and protect the decaying wood needed for nesting. Planting alone will not replace mature feeding trees quickly, so retained habitat and established trees should remain part of the project design.

The species feeds mainly on native rainforest figs, but also uses other native and exotic fruits, nectar, lichen and insect larvae. Suitable habitat includes lowland rainforest, dry rainforest, littoral rainforest, riparian corridors and connected woodland.

Primary habitat component identified in the documents: Areas with abundant fig trees

Food resource issue: Fragmentation and drought may create seasonal gaps in food availability

  • Use locally appropriate native Ficus and other native fleshy-fruited rainforest species identified by the project ecologist and relevant land manager.
  • Plant links between retained rainforest remnants, riparian vegetation and known or potential feeding areas.
  • Maintain a range of tree ages so that future sites develop mature canopies and fruiting resources over time.
  • Protect plantings from browsing, machinery, drought and fire until they are established.
  • Record plant species, planting locations, survival, canopy development, fruiting and connectivity outcomes.

Rehabilitation actions: Retain nesting features and manage weeds

Coxen’s Fig-Parrot is thought to excavate its nest in rotting wood in a decaying limb or trunk. The documents do not specify a nest-box design or a required density of artificial hollows.

Documented nest material: Rotting wood in a decaying limb or trunk

Documented weed response: Reduce weeds that affect food availability, breeding habitat quality or regeneration

  • Retain suitable dead trees, decaying limbs and trunks where they are safe and outside the construction footprint.
  • Do not remove fallen or standing decaying wood from rehabilitation areas unless it creates a safety risk or the ecological management plan requires removal.
  • Use nest boxes only where the relevant wildlife authority and project ecologist confirm that they are appropriate, and document the design, location and inspection schedule.
  • Control invasive weeds that reduce food availability, regeneration or access to rainforest food trees.
  • Prioritise weeds recorded as threats in the source material, including cat’s claw creeper, camphor laurel, Madeira vine, balloon vine, privets, wandering dew, coral berry, asparagus fern, Mickey Mouse plant and Dutchman’s pipe.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitor restoration and manage disturbance

Relevant climate risks: Drought, wildfire and heatwave are expected to increase the pressure on habitat and food availability

Survey indicators: Birds, diagnostic calls, feeding debris and fruit strips beneath trees

  • Inspect restored sites for weed regrowth, fire damage, drought stress, loss of planted trees and breaks in habitat connectivity.
  • Monitor fruiting trees and conduct repeat dawn and dusk searches for calls, birds and feeding debris once vegetation has developed suitable cover.
  • Use the species’ documented signs, including diagnostic calls, falling fruit debris and fruit strips beneath trees, as restoration monitoring indicators.
  • Manage fire, access and extreme-weather risks so retained and restored food trees are not repeatedly damaged.
  • Set success measures for retained and planted tree survival, weed reduction, connectivity, fruiting condition, protection of decaying wood and verified use by the species.
  • Review the restoration method if monitoring does not show improving habitat condition or if credible records indicate that birds are using a different area.

Sources