Islands are home to a disproportionately large number of threatened species. Restricted ranges and long-term isolation can greatly exacerbate the impacts of anthropogenic threats such as habitat loss, invasive species, and climate change on island endemics. The Endangered Norfolk Island green parrot (Cyanoramphus cookii) is a prime example of an island-dwelling parrot threatened by habitat loss, a lack of secure breeding sites and predation by introduced mammals.

Daniel’s PhD explores the breeding and population dynamics of the Norfolk Island green parrot. His research examines the species’ reproductive success and nest use, the efficacy of nest protection, and the population genetics of the single population on Norfolk Island. His research aims to fill key knowledge gaps and inform the future conservation management of the species.

About the speaker

Daniel is a PhD candidate at the Fenner School of Environment and Society and part of the Difficult Birds Research Group. His research interests centre around the conservation of native species facing anthropogenic threats. His PhD looks at the population dynamics and breeding biology of the endangered Norfolk Island green parrot (Cyanoramphus cookii). He holds a Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Science from ANU, also completing his Honours in 2019 on the relationship between regent honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia) nest success and the landscape scale distribution of nest predators.