Coxen's Fig-Parrot Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni
Length 13–15 cm; wingspan 25–28 cm; weight c. 35 g.
A small, plump, green parrot, Coxen’s Fig-Parrot is a subspecies of the more widespread Double-eyed Fig-Parrot. The species is gregarious, congregating in small flocks, especially around fruiting fig trees where they forage in the outer canopy, creeping through the foliage and extracting the seeds from figs. Their flight is swift and direct, characterised by rapid, shallow wing-beats, as they fly low over the forest canopy or between trees.
HABITAT
Coxen’s Fig-Parrots inhabit subtropical rainforests that support large fig trees. The subspecies is thought not to inhabit large tracts of forest, but instead occurs in smaller patches, or at the edges of larger patches at the boundary with sclerophyll forests (though this may be an artefact of the situation that few large tracts of rainforest remain in the subspecies’ range).
DISTRIBUTION
Endemic to south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales, between Gympie and the Richmond River.
STATUS
- Endangered in New South Wales
- Endangered in Queensland
- Endangered in EPBC Act
THREATS
The Coxen’s Fig-Parrot is threatened by the loss, fragmentation and degradation of its habitat through logging and clearance for farmland or pine plantations. This may lead to difficulties in dispersal and in finding sufficient food at some times of year. In addition, the margin of rainforests may be damaged when adjoining patches of eucalypts are burnt.
MOVEMENTS
The species is generally considered resident, as no obvious movements have been reported, though little is known. |
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