A FEATHER FROM THE EXTINCT PARADISE PARROT

A FEATHER FROM THE EXTINCT PARADISE PARROTa feather from the extinct Australian Paradise Parrot, Psephotus pulcherrimus, in excellent condition,2.7 cm longThe Paradise Parrot, as its name suggests, was extraordinarily colourful, even by parrot standards. It was native to the grassy woodlands of the Queensland/New South Wales border area of eastern Australia. It is the only species of Australian parrot to have become extinct, but the reasons why it disappeared are unclear. Possibilities include overgrazing, land clearing, changed fire regimes, hunting by bird collectors, and predation by introduced mammals like cats and dogs. The last confirmed sighting was on 14 September 1927. This feather came from a specimen collected at Lake Clarendon, Gatton, Queensland in 1890, which was mounted by Henry James Burton of Wardour Street, London. It originates from the collection of respected UK taxidermist Barry Williams and will be supplied with a copy of his COA and a photo of the actual bird it came from.