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Superb 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.
Their call is a bit similar to that of Cockatiels, although usually lower-pitched.
Photos
Flock of Superb Parrots eating seeds near the roadside (click on image for larger version)
Close-up view of a male Superb Parrot on a paddock (click image for larger version)
Male Superb Parrot in a eucalypt tree (click on image for larger version)
Mottled (probably molting) 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
Habits
Superb Parrots prefer the cooler hill climate to the east 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.