In the early 1990s the breeding population of the Australian subspecies was fewer than 250 pairs.
Research revealed that the major problems threatening processes were (a) sticky fruit of the birdlime tree (Pisonia umbellifera) which immobilised birds; (b) predation by pied currawongs (Strepera graculina) [REF] and (c) habitat degradation caused by grazing of European rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus).