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Description

Species Name: Red-rumped Parrot

Species Latin Name: Psephotus haematonotus

Also Known As:

Red-backed parrot

Grass parrot

Native To: South-eastern Australia

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Photo Taken At: Serendip Sanctuary

Size (length): 27cm (10.5 inches)

Weight: 55-85g (1.9 – 3oz)

Lifespan: 15-32 years

Description:

These birds are sexually dimorphic in the colouration of their feathers The males come in a variety of vibrant colours to their feathers. Their upper body is a brilliant green save for around their face where the feathers are more of a darker greenish-blue. The brilliant green on the upper body transitions to a bright yellow round the belly and continues towards the birds feet. On the back of the bird along the wing feathers more of the darker greenish-blue is featured. Further down the distinguished orange/red is featured that the bird is named after. The greens then make a return further down the tail.

The female differs entirely from the male in terms of colouration in that the female will mostly have a dull greenish grey colour to her feathers. This colouration will cover her entire body with exception to her tail and some portions of her wings which will appear a little brighter in colouration than the rest of her feathers. Both the male and female have light grey eyes and the female will have a light grey beak. The male differs from the female by having a black beak instead of a light grey beak.

Diet:

These parrots have a completely herbivorous diet, they will generally feed on green beans, mixed canary seeds, sunflower seeds, fruitsand, vegetables in captivity. In the wild they prefer eating the seeds of leaves of grasses, they will also feed on the seeds, fruits and flowers in trees. You will usually either see these birds in pairs or in small flocks. These birds are known to flock with other parrots such as the Eastern Rosella and Galahs

Behaviour:

The way these birds communicate consist more of various soft songs rather than calls. They produce various whistling and trilling sounds when they are perched, when defending their territory they will chatter shrilly sounds in response. One of the sounds they make can be described as a 'chillip chee' type sound.

These birds are monogamous and will form mating bonds for life. Breeding season will generally take place between the months of August to January however, in more inland, dryer areas these bird will breed in response to rainfall. The female will decide on a nesting site which will generally be in tree hollows or other suitable places such as fence posts or tree stumps. The female will lay four to six eggs on the nesting site of decayed wood. The female will incubate the eggs whist the male will forage for food and feed the female.

Further Reading (general information):

Wikipedia: Red-rumped parrot - Wikipedia

Birdlife: Red-rumped Parrot | BirdLife Australia

Backyard Birds: Red-rumped Parrot | BIRDS in BACKYARDS

Kidadl: 15 Amaze-wing Facts About The Red-Rumped Parrot (kidadl.com)

Animalia: Red-rumped parrot - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio

Description

Species Name: Red-rumped Parrot

Species Latin Name: Psephotus haematonotus

Also Known As:

Red-backed parrot

Grass parrot

Native To: South-eastern Australia

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Photo Taken At: Serendip Sanctuary

Size (length): 27cm (10.5 inches)

Weight: 55-85g (1.9 – 3oz)

Lifespan: 15-32 years

Description:

These birds are sexually dimorphic in the colouration of their feathers The males come in a variety of vibrant colours to their feathers. Their upper body is a brilliant green save for around their face where the feathers are more of a darker greenish-blue. The brilliant green on the upper body transitions to a bright yellow round the belly and continues towards the birds feet. On the back of the bird along the wing feathers more of the darker greenish-blue is featured. Further down the distinguished orange/red is featured that the bird is named after. The greens then make a return further down the tail.

The female differs entirely from the male in terms of colouration in that the female will mostly have a dull greenish grey colour to her feathers. This colouration will cover her entire body with exception to her tail and some portions of her wings which will appear a little brighter in colouration than the rest of her feathers. Both the male and female have light grey eyes and the female will have a light grey beak. The male differs from the female by having a black beak instead of a light grey beak.

Diet:

These parrots have a completely herbivorous diet, they will generally feed on green beans, mixed canary seeds, sunflower seeds, fruitsand, vegetables in captivity. In the wild they prefer eating the seeds of leaves of grasses, they will also feed on the seeds, fruits and flowers in trees. You will usually either see these birds in pairs or in small flocks. These birds are known to flock with other parrots such as the Eastern Rosella and Galahs

Behaviour:

The way these birds communicate consist more of various soft songs rather than calls. They produce various whistling and trilling sounds when they are perched, when defending their territory they will chatter shrilly sounds in response. One of the sounds they make can be described as a 'chillip chee' type sound.

These birds are monogamous and will form mating bonds for life. Breeding season will generally take place between the months of August to January however, in more inland, dryer areas these bird will breed in response to rainfall. The female will decide on a nesting site which will generally be in tree hollows or other suitable places such as fence posts or tree stumps. The female will lay four to six eggs on the nesting site of decayed wood. The female will incubate the eggs whist the male will forage for food and feed the female.

Further Reading (general information):

Wikipedia: Red-rumped parrot - Wikipedia

Birdlife: Red-rumped Parrot | BirdLife Australia

Backyard Birds: Red-rumped Parrot | BIRDS in BACKYARDS

Kidadl: 15 Amaze-wing Facts About The Red-Rumped Parrot (kidadl.com)

Animalia: Red-rumped parrot - Facts, Diet, Habitat & Pictures on Animalia.bio