The Australian government’s drawing of the extremely rare Coxen’s Fig-parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni). The photograph of the “new” species of fig-parrot is unavailable, but the bird would resemble this species.

The Australian newspaper for (tomorrow) Tuesday, February 13, 2007, is reporting the Australian government is withdrawing support for the “reported discovery” of a new species, the so-called blue-browed fig-parrot reported to live in the rainforests of southern Queensland.

In November, 2006, John Young, his company, John Young Wildlife Enterprises, and Queensland Environment Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr announced the discovery of the new species, based on a photograph. The bird shown closely resembles the red-browed fig-parrot of north Queensland, except the forehead was blue, not red.

Gale Spring, associate professor in scientific photography at Melbourne’s RMIT University, who in the past has given evidence on the disappearances of British backpacker Peter Falconio and Victorian toddler Jaidyn Leskie, then became involved.

The newspaper noted: “Soon afterwards, Professor Spring was sent a high-resolution image of the photograph. At a briefing in Brisbane last week, Professor Spring showed computer images of the photo to Dr Gynther and other Environment Department officers. He pointed out differences between the texture of feathers around the bird’s head and feathers on the rest of its body. He thought the surface imaging of the photograph was typical of pictures that had been altered, and although there might be an explanation for this, said he needed to view the original image.”

Gale Spring has cast doubt on the photograph upon which the claim has been made.

At this time, John Young is refusing comment and declining the request to turn over the original negatives for further examination.

Source: “Expert on fake photos queries parrot species claim” by Greg Roberts, Australian, February 13, 2007.