Breeding in the wild: an update

Nineteen chicks and counting

The wild population of Orange-bellied Parrots at Melaleuca now numbers at least 20 adults (including 'first-year birds', which can breed in their first year). They comprise nine females and 11 males.

They began arriving on 1 October 2012, with the last (known) arrival 22 November.

Recent breeding seasons have seen similar numbers, with at least 22 arriving in 2011/12, twenty-one in 2010/11 and twenty-three in 2009/10.

This week 19 chicks from five nestboxes were banded. They are caught as nestlings (before they can fly), leg-banded, weighed, and have blood taken for DNA analysis. Each bird is fitted with bands of a unique colour and letter in order for later identification to be made.

As a total of nine females are known to have arrived and five have bred, it is hoped up to four additional nests have been used by the remaining females.

Chick tries to bite scientist after banding

Silver-coloured leg bands