12 |
Turquoise ParrotAlternative names: "Beautiful Grass-parrot", "Chestnut-shouldered Grass-parrot" Size: 19-21 cm |
 |
Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
Turquoise Parrots live mostly on the western side of the Great Dividing Range and in the hillrange, from northern inland VIC to southern QLD. However, their range also extends to the NSW central coast from about the Hunter River to the Woolongong area. Occasionally also found further south along the east coast, down to the NSW/VIC border.
Turquoise Parrots are usually found in open eucalypt forest, often with grassy undergrowth or nearby grassland.
 |
Sightings |
Turquoise Parrots, like many other parrots, are very quick and can be hard to spot. This may be the reason why it took us a while to find them and obtain good photos. There was only one sighting in 2005, on the lawn of the farm where we lived, 20 km south of Narrabri. Subsequently spotted by us occasionally in various locations in the Pilliga scrub.
Then spotted in March 2007 in the hill range 20 km west of Barraba, NSW (20 km south-east of Maules Creek, NSW). In September 2011 found on the edge of Leard State Forest, 5 km west of Maules Creek, NSW.
Spotted again in January 2008, again in the western foothills of the Great Dividing Range, this time 30 km east of Narrabri. Here a flock of about 10 birds was observed, while previously we had seen only pairs. At that location Turquoise Parrots are permanent residents, as a number of subsequent visits have shown. Not only seen during the summer months, but subsequently also in winter (July 2008), in relatively large numbers (tens). Also found at Warrabah National Park, 40 km east of Manilla, NSW, in September 2010.
In September 2008 we found them in the area of the glacial valley of Rocky Creek, some 70 km north-east of Narrabri, where there must have been tens of birds as well.
Female Turquoise Parrots, when seen from the front or sideways, are easily mistaken for male Red-rumped Parrots, making a secure identification in the field difficult, if one does not spot a male or know their distinctive calls.
 |
Photos |
Not the photos you want? Or are you after even better quality? Have a look here.
Frontal view of a male Turquoise Parrot
Lateral view of a (probably young) male Turquoise Parrot
View onto the back of a (probably young) male Turquoise Parrot
approaching a water puddle
This male bird was seen approaching a water puddle at nightfall
Here a clear view of the yellow outer tail feathers
Frontal view of a female Turquoise Parrot
The same female Turquoise Parrot as above, now drinking from a
waterhole
Frontal view of a pair of Turquoise Parrots; the male
is an older bird, displaying the characteristic orange
band on its lower belly; the female, also tinged with a
bit of orange, may also be a senior bird
"Since you are such a cutie"...
Pair seen on the edge of Leard State Forest
View from behind of an immature Turquoise Parrot
Although unfortunately unsharp, here a lateral view of a very young Turquoise Parrot approaching a waterhole (note the absence of a tail)
 |
Breeding information |
| Breeding season: Sep - Nov | Eggs: 2 - 6 | Incubation period: 20 days | Fledging age: 24 - 30 days |
 |
Nest |
| Type: Tree hollow | Material: Wooddust | Height above ground: 0 - 5 m |
Turquoise Parrots are known to use hollows at very low levels, e.g. in stumps, fallen logs or even strainer posts in fences (see below).
Strainer post in which a pair of Turquoise Parrots had its
nest
 |
Eggs |
| Size: 21 x 18 mm | Colour: White | Shape: Rounded |
 |
Habits |
The photo below shows that, like other parrots and cockatoos, Turquoise Parrots are also social animals that like to live in flocks outside the breeding season.
On this occasion there were about 30 Turquoise Parrots near
a water hole in the Pilliga scrub; two more birds were sitting
on a neighbouring tree
 |
Food |
Like many parrots, Turquoise Parrots are seed-eaters; primarily they feed on grass seeds.
