Scientists discover new parrot on the edge of extinction

WASHINGTON - A new, critically endangered species of ground parrot in Western Australia has been identified by a team of Australian researchers involving DNA experts from the University of Adelaide.

The team, led by Australian Wildlife Conservancy’s Dr Stephen Murphy, used DNA from museum specimens up to 160 years old to reveal that populations of ground parrots in eastern and western Australia are highly distinct from each other and that the western populations should be recognized as a new species, Pezoporus flaviventris.

“The discovery has major conservation implications,” said Murphy.

“The Western Ground parrot has declined rapidly in the last 20 years, there are now only about 110 birds surviving in the wild and most of these are confined to a single national park. It is now one of the world’s rarest birds,” Murphy added. (ANI)