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Red-rumped Parrot

(Psephotus haematonotus)
Alternative names: "Grass Parrot", "Red-backed Parrot", "Ground Parrot"

Sightings

Red-rumped Parrots are relatively small parrots. They are one of the most common parrot species in inland New South Wales and can be seen in the Narrabri area regularly and in large numbers.

Numerous around our place, 20 km east of Narrabri, in autumn, when seen in flocks of up to 50 birds, but almost absent in winter, when there are few or no seeds left on the paddocks. Also found on the western slopes of the Nandewar Range.

Although apparently so colourful, their camouflage while foraging for seeds in grassland is excellent. While on the ground, the males' red rump is invisible, but hidden between the wings, as can be seen in some of the photos below. In trees they can also be hard to spot.

Photos

Pair of Red-rumped Parrots in a White Cedar tree, 20 km south of Narrabri, New South Wales (click on image for larger version)

Red-rumped Parrots taking a bath (click on image for larger version)

Male Red-rumped Parrot displaying the plumage on its back, left, and well-camouflaged female, right (click on image for larger version)

Here a different perspective (click on image for larger version)

Frontal view of a male Red-rumped Parrot

Lateral view of a male Red-rumped Parrot (click on image for larger version)

Three out of a litter of five Red-rumped Parrot chicks (click on image for larger version); there is also a photo of all five chicks

Habits

Red-rumped Parrots very conspicuously live in pairs, if not accompanied by their young. This fact is so prominent, because the male and female are so easy to distinguish.

While other parrots don't shun nuts or fruit, we have not seen Red-rumped Parrots eat anything but seeds from the ground or directly from grass stalks.



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