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Norfolk Island Green Parrot (Cyanoramphus cookii)

The Norfolk Island Green Parrot is a parrot endemic to Norfolk Island. Remnant rainforest, particularly Norfolk Island Pine rainforest, is important habitat for the species.

Conservation status

Commonwealth, EPBC Act 1999: Endangered.

Seasonal planning

On Norfolk Island, nesting has been recorded year-round, with 93% of attempts initiated from December to June.

Seasonal evidence: From published sources for this species.

Timing varies between sites and years.

  • Breeding season: On Norfolk Island, nesting has been recorded year-round, with 93% of attempts initiated from December to June.

Identification: Appearance

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Not documented in the published sources used for this profile.

Identification: Confirming identity

Confirm the identity of any suspected record with a specialist and a photograph or voucher, as required by the relevant permit.

Distribution: Known range

The species occurs only on Norfolk Island. It is mainly found in Norfolk Island National Park and the Botanic Gardens, although its distribution has increased across the island following conservation activities.

The species occurs only on Norfolk Island. It is mainly found in Norfolk Island National Park and the Botanic Gardens, although its distribution has increased across the island following conservation activities.

Distribution: National mapping

The Commonwealth species distribution model (SNES) maps where the species or its habitat is known, likely or may occur. Use it with local records and site inspection.

Habitat: Habitat

It occurs mainly in remnant Norfolk Island Pine rainforest and other native vegetation. It has also been observed in eucalypt plantations and in orchards and gardens beside native forest.

It occurs mainly in remnant Norfolk Island Pine rainforest and other native vegetation. It has also been observed in eucalypt plantations and in orchards and gardens beside native forest.

Foraging habitat: Diet

Its diet includes seeds, fruits, flowers and leaves of native and introduced trees and shrubs. Foods noted include Norfolk Island Pine seeds and Norfolk Island Palm fruits.

Its diet includes seeds, fruits, flowers and leaves of native and introduced trees and shrubs. Foods noted include Norfolk Island Pine seeds and Norfolk Island Palm fruits.

Breeding habitat: Breeding

The species nests in tree hollows, and breeding is mainly confined to suitable habitat within the national park.

The species nests in tree hollows, and breeding is mainly confined to suitable habitat within the national park.

Sheltering habitat: Shelter

It prefers to nest in tree hollows within 2 m of the ground.

It prefers to nest in tree hollows within 2 m of the ground.

Threats: Threats

Habitat loss, introduced predators and competitors, and direct persecution have affected the species. Its restricted range and past population bottlenecks are also associated with risks to genetic diversity.

Habitat loss, introduced predators and competitors, and direct persecution have affected the species. Its restricted range and past population bottlenecks are also associated with risks to genetic diversity.

Threats: Works risk

Clearing remnant rainforest or other native vegetation could remove habitat, while damage to low tree hollows could reduce nesting sites. Habitat loss has been identified as a major impact on the species.

Survey methodology: 1. Species-specific methods

Use methods consistent with the Commonwealth survey guidelines and engage a specialist with the right permits.

The parrot is more often heard than seen. Potential observation spots include the pines around the Botanic Gardens deck, the start of the Mt Bates track and the valley at Palm Glen.

Survey methodology: 2. Commonwealth guidance

For EPBC Act referrals, survey effort and methods should be consistent with the survey guidelines for Australia's threatened birds, read with the Significant impact guidelines 1.1.

Survey methodology: 3. Limits

A non-detection is not proof of absence. Match survey timing to the species and season, and record effort.

Vegetation associations: Rainforest or vine thicket

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

It occurs mainly in remnant Norfolk Island Pine rainforest and other native vegetation.

Automatically indexed from existing profile text. Not a verified preference, mapped occurrence or habitat requirement. Check the original source and regional qualifiers before use.

Evidence: Unreviewed profile-derived candidate

Confidence: Not independently verified

Region: Scope as described in the quoted profile text; not independently verified. Profile states: not specified.

Habitat use: general

Ecosystem associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific ecosystem association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Soil and substrate associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific soil association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Water and wetland associations

Source-checked associations and automatically indexed candidates are separated below. An association does not establish site presence, preference or dependence.

No species-specific water association has been indexed or source-checked in this evidence library. This is an evidence gap, not evidence of no association.

Fauna records and mapped habitat: Not yet analysed

Record locations can be overlaid with mapping, but record frequency alone does not measure habitat preference. No species is excluded from desktop assessments by this analysis.

No quality-controlled record-to-map analysis has been completed for this species. The existing generalised distribution dots and indicative range polygons have not been treated as precise occurrence coordinates.

A defensible run needs dated, independently attributable records, coordinate uncertainty, duplicate and captive-record checks, layer versions and regional scope. Preference and absence require additional survey-effort and detection evidence.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: No supported exclusion recorded

Not recorded is not the same as cannot occur. Low suitability, resident habitat, breeding habitat and occasional movement are different conclusions.

This library has not established a vegetation, ecosystem or soil-type exclusion for this species. This does not mean all habitat is suitable; the evidence needed to justify an exclusion has not been assembled.

Habitat limitations and contrary evidence: Before using a negative association

  • Confirm the taxon, geographic region, life stage and habitat function covered by the evidence.
  • Check survey methods, season, repeated effort and detectability before interpreting non-detection.
  • Investigate credible contradictory records and microhabitats absent from broad mapping.
  • Do not convert a missing map class, low record count or failed data request into species absence.

Before disturbance: 1. Desktop and approvals

Confirm whether the project could affect the species before works begin.

Check national mapping, state records and recent surveys for the site. An action likely to have a significant impact on this nationally listed species needs EPBC Act referral, and state permits apply where it is state listed.

Before disturbance: 2. Plan to avoid

Design the footprint, timing and access to avoid known or likely habitat, and brief crews on what to look for and who to call.

During disturbance: 1. Controls

Keep works inside the approved footprint and conditions.

Fence or mark habitat to be retained and keep machinery, stockpiles and spoil out of it.

During disturbance: 2. Stop and report

If the species is found unexpectedly, stop work at that spot and contact the project ecologist and the relevant agency.

After disturbance: 1. Records

Record outcomes.

Record sightings, habitat lost or retained and any injury or death, and report them under the approval conditions.

Rehabilitation: 1. Restore

Restore disturbed habitat where possible.

Reinstate disturbed ground with local species, return logs, rocks and litter, and control weeds and erosion until the site is stable.

Sources