Sharing knowledge about the elusive Night Parrot

Rangers from Kiwirrkurra, Ngururrpa, Ngurra Kayanta, Kanyirninpa Jukurrpa's Punmu Rangers, and the Central Land Council’s Warlpiri Rangers travelled a long way for this weeklong collaboration, crossing state borders using 4WD vehicles and charter planes. They joined forces with scientists from Bush Heritage Australia and a local Maiawali custodian Judith Harrison to exchange insights about this elusive bird.

The travelling group included ranger teams who have already detected Night Parrots on their country and other neighbouring teams that are actively searching for them.

Outside of the tiny Night Parrot population at Pullen Pullen, most of the more recent discoveries of Night Parrots have been made by Indigenous ranger teams in WA who have good access to remote desert areas, detailed habitat knowledge and exceptional observational skills. In addition, senior women amongst the group had detailed knowledge about food plants found in Night Parrot diets, as they grew up eating the same seeds.

Rangers also shared traditional techniques for cat hunting and controlled burning that are vital practices for protecting threatened species like the Night Parrot.

Expert trackers among the Rangers sought to enhance their skills by identifying signs left by Night Parrots, such as tracks, scats, feathers, nests, and calls. Rangers were interested in learning more about the distinctive roosting and nesting tunnels to aid their search on their own country. Ethical survey protocols were discussed to minimise disturbance to these highly threatened birds.

This knowledge sharing event was facilitated and supported by Bush Heritage Australia, Indigenous Desert Alliance, the Resilient Landscapes Hub and the Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water who were all interested in understanding the Rangers' priorities for researching and managing Night Parrots.

Photos by Lachlan Gardiner

Read more about this knowledge sharing event via the National Indigenous Times and The New Daily