Skip to:

Topical categories

Commonly searched

-
Brightly coloured green bird sitting on bush.

Critically endangered Orange-bellied parrots released

  • Context: Regional
  • 2024-2028

The release of Orange-bellied Parrots from Lake Connewarre on the Bellarine Peninsula marked a significant milestone in efforts to prevent the species’ extinction in the wild. 

As part of the Mainland Release Trial, flocks were successfully established in suitable Victorian habitats, helping attract migrating birds and improving their survival through the autumn and winter period.

These releases formed a crucial component of broader recovery actions that saw the wild Orange-bellied Parrot population reach a ten‑year high. Over four years, three groups of captive‑bred parrots were released at sites near Werribee and Lake Connewarre, supported by new tracking technology installed by Zoos Victoria to monitor bird movements.

The project brought together Corangamite CMA, government programs, conservation organisations and local landholders, demonstrating strong partnership value. 

The species remains one of the most beloved and cherished birds of the Corangamite region and projects like this have been vital to securing its future.

Visit website
Project funded by

This project is funded by the Australian Government Nature Heritage Trust and delivered by Corangamite CMA, a member of the Commonwealth Regional Delivery Partners Panel.

The Orange-bellied Parrot Protection program focuses on the protection of the critically endangered bird and its habitat, through supporting actions within the species’ National Recovery Plan. The project is part of a number of integrated projects delivering actions within breeding (Tasmania) and other non-breeding (mainland) sites in Australia. Corangamite CMA is partnering with Wadawurrung Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation, Zoos Victoria and BirdLife Australia to deliver this project.

Very few Orange-bellied parrots currently exist in the wild, and the species could face extinction within the next five years. Orange-bellied parrots are one of only two migratory parrot species in the world — travelling from the West Coast of Tasmania to the coasts of Victoria and South Australia every winter.

The program will run from 2024 – 2028 and will target two geographic areas in the Corangamite CMA catchment: Lake Connewarre (including the eastern shoreline and delta islands) and Swan Bay (including Edwards Point, Duck Island, Swan Island and Western Shoreline of Swan Bay).

Read more here.

Brightly coloured birds feeding from dish
Corangamite CMA, Orange bellied parrots in captivity, Vic
Brightly coloured bird inflight with corner of a shed wall in the background.
Corangamite CMA, Orange bellied parrot mid flight, Lake Connewarre, Vic
Three brightly coloured birds perched on a dead branch lying down with green shrubbery in the background.
Corangamite CMA, Orange bellied parrot, Lake Connewarre, Vic
“Orange-bellied Parrots are an iconic, but sadly now very rare, species in the Corangamite region. It is groundbreaking projects like this that are important to ensure it’s survival in the future.”
– Robert Bone, Corangamite CMA
Secret Link