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Superb ParrotAlternative names: "Green Leek*", "Barraband Parakeet", "Scarlet-breasted Parrot" |
Sightings
Superb Parrots normally prefer to stay in the greener
hill ranges of south-east Australia, but do also venture
out into the north-west slopes and plains, including the
Narrabri area. The ones displayed below have been sighted
25 km west of town, at the Australia
Telescope Compact Array observatory. There flocks of
up to 50 birds have been seen in some years (2003, 2004,
2005). In other years there were less birds. During some
months of the year (usually springtime, from October to
December) they are not seen in the Narrabri area, proably
because there are no suitable seeds for them.
In the 2006/07 season they came back during the second
half of December.
In the 2007/08 season they were first spotted in the second
week of January.
C. Kellenberg reports that up to about 50 were seen regularly at
the observatory during the autumn of 2009. For those not familiar
with the status of this species as threatened, 50 birds represent
about 1% of the total estimated population of 5000.
A single male bird was seen 20 km east of Narrabri in January 2009.
Their call is a bit similar to that of Cockatiels, although usually lower-pitched.
Photos
Flock of Superb Parrots; photo courtesy of C. Kellenberg (click on image for larger version)
Male Superb Parrot on a paddock (click image for larger version)
Male Superb Parrot; photo courtesy of C. Kellenberg (click image for larger version)
Male Superb Parrot in a eucalypt tree (click on image for larger version)
Mottled (probably moulting) female Superb Parrot (click on image for larger version)
Underside of a female Superb Parrot. While they lack the yellow and red pattern that the males display around their throats, surprisingly the females are more coloured on their undersides, especially their legs.
Immature female Superb Parrot(?); click on image for larger version
Flock of Superb Parrots in flight; photo courtesy of C. Kellenberg (click on image for larger version)
Flock of Superb Parrots eating seeds near the roadside (click on image for larger version)
Habits
During the summer Superb Parrots prefer the cooler hill climate over the hotter, drier conditions in the Narrabri area. They are seasonal visitors, depending on rainfall. When there is enough rain (and thus grass seeds), they appear at the observatory.