Double-eyed fig-parrot (Coxen's)
Common name: Coxen's fig-parrot, double-eyed fig-parrot (Coxen's)
Scientific name: Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni
Conservation status: The Coxen's fig-parrot is classified as 'Endangered' in Queensland (Nature Conservation Act 1992) and 'Endangered' nationally (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999).
Description: The Coxen's fig-parrot is a small, predominantly green parrot with a stout build. The head and bill are disproportionately large. Its tail is extremely short and its total body length is 14-16cm. It is rich green above, yellowish green below and the sides of its breast are yellow. The primaries (flight feathers) are deep blue and dark grey. The inner edges of the tertials (flight feathers) are red. The bill is two-toned, pale grey at the base and blackish towards tip. The male has a blue forehead with scattered red feathers surrounding this and on the lores (the feathers between the eye and the bill), the cheeks are orange-red, bordered below by a band of mauve-blue. The female is similar but with a smaller blue patch on the forehead, fewer or no red on the forehead and lores, and a duller, less extensive orange-red cheek patch. No description of juveniles exists.
Distribution: Based on published records, its distribution was know to range from the Mary River (Gympie) in Queensland south to the Richmond River in New South Wales and west to the Bunya Mountains. Other authors considered the distribution reached Maryborough in the north and the Macleay River in the south. Recent or recently acquired records, all highly plausible but so far unconfirmed, strongly suggest the range extends much further north in Queensland to the greater Bundaberg area.
Habitat: Its preferred habitat was probably lowland dry and subtropical rainforest, especially in alluvial areas, however little of this remains. Recent records are from dry or cool subtropical rainforest from sea level to approximately 900m. Birds also use thin strips of gallery rainforest, littoral rainforest and coastal eucalypt/melaleuca forest where fig densities are high (e.g. near Bundaberg). The species has been reported visiting isolated fruiting trees in gardens and cultivated farmlands.
Behaviour and life history: Its flight is rapid and direct without the twisting and turning characteristic of lorikeets. It tends not to dart and dodge through gaps in the branches and foliage of the treetops (this description relates to Macleays' fig-parrot but is presumably true for Coxen's). Its flight call is a short, clipped two note call described as a high-pitched 'zeet-zeet'. It may utter soft chattering calls when feeding but is otherwise silent. It can be detected by discarded pieces of fig flesh falling from its feeding tree onto the ground.
The nest and eggs of this species have never been described. It is assumed to resemble northern races of fig-parrots in excavating a nest chamber in a dead or decaying tree limb or trunk where two eggs are laid. Nest construction is thought to commence in August with breeding from October to December or January. No data exist for the duration of incubation or the period until fledging.
Threatening processes: The known threats to the Coxen's fig-parrot include clearing and fragmentation of habitat, especially in lowland areas. The loss of all forest types in which figs occur (and these need not necessarily be classical rainforest vegetation types) is also a significant threat. Threats that may also affect the parrot include possible winter food shortages and discontinuity between breeding and wintering habitats and poaching/nest robbing for the purposes of egg collecting or the aviculture trade.
Recovery actions:
- Further surveys to determine currently occupied localities including those used for breeding.
- Assessment of quantity, distribution and spatial arrangement of remnant rainforest and other forest types with significant fig resources.
- Specific localities for habitat rehabilitation and revegetation projects have been identified and replanting of specially propagated fig species by EPA/QPWS and Barung Landcare has occurred.
- Research of known sites to increase knowledge of bird's ecological requirements and reproductive ecology.
Further information:
Recovery plan for Coxen's fig-parrot Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni 2001-2005
Last updated: 31 August 2006