Red-rumped parrot

Psephotus haematonotus

Photo by Duncan McCaskill (Wikipedia)

Common name:
red-rumped parrot (en); piriquito-de-uropígio-vermelho (pt); perruche à croupion rouge (fr); perico dorsirrojo (es); singsittich (de)

Taxonomy:
Order Psittaciformes
Family Psittacidae

Range:
This species is found in south-eastern Australia, in southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and eastern South Australia.

Size:
These birds are 26-28 cm long and weigh 55-85 g.

Habitat:
The red-rumped parrot is mostly found in dry grasslands and open, sry savannas and forests, especially along rivers and streams, also using mangroves, dry scrublands, farmland and urban parks. They are present from sea level up to an altitude of 1.100 m.

Diet:
They forage mostly on the ground, usually in pairs or small flocks, taking seeds, grass leaves, shoots,fruits and flowers.

Breeding:
Red-rumped parrots breed in August-January. They are monogamous and mate for life. The nest is a hollow in an Eucalyptus tree, or sometimes on a fence post or nest box. The female lays 3-8 eggs, which she incubates alone for 19-21 days while being fed by the male. The chicks fledge 4-5 weeks after hatching, but continue to receive food from the parents for some time afterwards.

Conservation:
IUCN status - LC (Least Concern)
This species has a very large breeding range and is reported to be common to abundant throughout this range. The population is suspected to be increasing as ongoing habitat degradation is creating new areas of suitable habitat. These birds are often hit by cars when feeding by roads, and hunted by domestic pets, especially cats.