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| golden-shouldered parrot | |
|---|---|
| Name | Golden-shouldered parrot |
| Status | EN |
| Status system | IUCN3.1 |
| Genus | Psephotellus |
| Species | chrysopterygius |
| Authority | (Gould, 1858) |
golden-shouldered parrot
The golden-shouldered parrot is a small, endangered Australian parrot species notable for its sexual dimorphism and distinctive plumage. Native to Cape York Peninsula, it has been the focus of conservation efforts by agencies and NGOs concerned with biodiversity, protected areas, and Indigenous land management. Research by institutions and universities has informed recovery programs and captive-breeding initiatives.
The species was described by John Gould in 1858 and placed within the genus Psephotellus, a group revised in molecular studies by teams at Australian National University and the South Australian Museum. Linnaean taxonomy situates it within the family Psittaculidae, alongside genera examined by researchers from the Natural History Museum, London and the Smithsonian Institution. Etymological notes trace chrysopterygius to Ancient Greek roots used in ornithological works catalogued in collections at the British Museum and referenced in the writings of Carl Linnaeus and later compendia by John Latham.
Adults exhibit marked sexual dimorphism documented in field guides from the Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union and plates by artists associated with John Gould. Males show a black head, golden yellow shoulders, and blue rump as illustrated in monographs held by the Australian Museum and the National Library of Australia. Females are duller, a pattern noted in comparative studies at the University of Queensland and the University of Melbourne. Measurements and plumage details appear in papers in journals published by the International Ornithologists' Union and referenced in theses from the James Cook University.
The species occurs in the southwest of the Cape York Peninsula within protected lands and pastoral leases monitored by agencies including the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and partner NGOs such as BirdLife Australia. Historical records from the Australian National Botanic Gardens and reports by explorers archived at the State Library of Queensland indicate a once broader range. Habitat comprises open woodlands and seasonal grasslands associated with sand ridges described in environmental assessments by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation and regional planning documents from the Cook Shire Council.
Field studies conducted by ecologists affiliated with BirdLife International and the Australian Wildlife Conservancy outline social structure, flocking behavior, and interactions with species profiled by the IUCN and researchers from the University of Sydney. Nesting behavior has been observed in live studies linked to traditional land management practices of Torres Strait Islanders and local Indigenous communities documented by the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. Seasonal movements correlate with fire regimes researched by the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC and climate analyses from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Dietary studies by ornithologists at the University of Western Australia and the Ecological Society of Australia report seed-based feeding on grass and sedge seeds common in surveys conducted by the Queensland Herbarium and botanical collections at the Australian National Herbarium. Foraging patterns have been linked to grazing impacts assessed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and ecological monitoring by the Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council. Feeding ecology is compared with sympatric species documented in faunal lists curated by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory.
Breeding biology, clutch sizes, and fledging success were quantified in longitudinal studies coordinated with the Threatened Species Recovery Hub and published in proceedings organized by the Australian Raptor Association and regional ornithological conferences at the University of Tasmania. Nest sites are typically hollows in termite mounds or tree cavities recorded in habitat surveys by the Wet Tropics Management Authority. Juvenile development and survivorship metrics inform recovery planning by conservation bodies including the World Wide Fund for Nature and government recovery teams.
Primary threats identified by the IUCN Red List and national recovery plans include habitat degradation from grazing, altered fire regimes, predation by introduced mammals documented by the Invasive Species Council, and illegal capture noted in enforcement reports from the Queensland Police Service. Conservation actions involve fire management programs supported by the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, breeding programs at facilities linked to the Monash University and zoo partners such as the Melbourne Zoo, and community-based monitoring coordinated with Bush Heritage Australia. International collaborations include expertise exchange with institutions like the Zoological Society of London.
Captive-breeding has been undertaken by specialist collections at institutions such as the Healesville Sanctuary and private aviculturists organized through societies like the Avicultural Society of Australia. Husbandry guidelines follow veterinary protocols developed in collaboration with the Australian Veterinary Association and biosecurity standards from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Reintroduction and supplementation trials are overseen by recovery teams including representatives from the Queensland Government and NGOs like BirdLife Australia.
Category:Psephotellus Category:Birds of Cape York Peninsula