Dingoes Guard Australia's Largest Known Night Parrot Population

Ngururrpa Rangers and scientists, in a study published September 23, 2024, identified at least 50 endangered Night Parrots in the Ngururrpa Indigenous Protected Area, potentially the largest known population globally[10][11][12][16]. This research also found that dingoes consume feral cats, suggesting a natural defense for the elusive bird[9][14][15].

This discovery highlights how Indigenous-led conservation efforts can protect critically endangered species and offers new insights into managing invasive predators. Feral cats and foxes are major drivers of Australia's extinction crisis, killing approximately 2.6 billion animals annually and contributing to up to 40 mammal extinctions since European colonization[4][5][6]. Understanding the dingo's role provides a potential strategy to safeguard vulnerable native wildlife[1][13].

What the records show

The study, titled "Potential threats and habitat of the night parrot on the Ngururrpa Indigenous Protected Area," was co-authored by Ngururrpa Ranger Clifford Sunfly[3][12]. Researchers detected Night Parrots across 17 of 31 surveyed sites within the Ngururrpa Indigenous Protected Area in Western Australia's Great Sandy Desert[8][10]. The research utilized acoustic recorders and sensor cameras to identify both the parrots and predator activity[8][9][16]. Dingoes were detected ten times more frequently than feral cats in the Night Parrot roosting areas[9][16]. The paper states that dingoes regularly eat feral cats, effectively suppressing their numbers in these critical habitats[9][14][15][17]. Based on these findings, the study recommended limiting predator control to methods that do not harm dingoes, recognizing their beneficial ecological role[14][15][16]. The Night Parrot is listed as critically endangered[21].

The timeline

Ngururrpa Rangers initiated their search for Night Parrots in 2019[3]. The team initially thought the birds were only present in a neighboring area[3]. The research paper detailing the findings was published on September 23, 2024[12].

What changed and for whom

The Ngururrpa Indigenous Protected Area has gained recognition as a stronghold for the Night Parrot, hosting what is considered the largest known population worldwide[7][9][10][11]. This redefines conservation priorities for the species, emphasizing the importance of Indigenous land management[3]. The findings suggest a shift in predator control strategies, advocating for the protection of dingoes due to their role in suppressing feral cat populations[14]. This approach could benefit other native Australian species threatened by invasive predators[1][18].

What the subject has said publicly

Ngururrpa Ranger Clifford Sunfly commented on the discovery, stating, "We the Ngururrpa Rangers have been looking for Night parrots since 2019. First we thought they were only living in one area, on our neighbour's country, but then we started checking in our area and ended up finding evidence that they are here"[3]. Sunfly further added, "We are still looking for them, to make sure they are safe, and we are still finding them"[3].

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm the precise number of Night Parrots, as the study reported "at least 50" and "up to 50" individuals[10][11][16]. The full scope of the discovered breeding area, beyond the mention of nests, eggs, and feathers, also remains unclear from the provided evidence[11]. It was also not definitively confirmed if this is the largest known population globally, though sources state it is "potentially the largest" or "largest known"[7][9][10][11].