Pezoporus occidentalis
The Night Parrot, Pezoporus occidentalis, is one of the world's most elusive and enigmatic birds, a true 'holy grail' for ornithologists and birders alike. Measuring approximately 22-25 cm (8.7-9.8 inches) in length with a wingspan of roughly 30-35 cm (12-14 inches), its plumage is a stunning cryptic mosaic of bright emerald green, black, and yellow mottling, providing exceptional camouflage against the spinifex grasslands it inhabits. Its short tail, large eyes adapted for low light, and lar...
This elusive parrot primarily inhabits remote, arid and semi-arid regions of inland Australia, favoring dense, hummock-forming spinifex grasslands, particularly those interspersed with chenopod shrublands or samphire flats, typically at low elevations.
The Night Parrot's diet consists almost exclusively of the seeds of arid zone grasses, primarily spinifex (Triodia spp.), which it gleans from the ground while walking.
Strictly nocturnal, the Night Parrot spends its days roosting cryptically within the dense, spiky clumps of spinifex, emerging only after dark to forage. Its foraging strategy is primarily terrestrial; it walks and runs on the ground, gleaning seeds, and rarely takes to the air unless disturbed. ...
Historically, the Night Parrot was distributed across a vast area of arid and semi-arid inland Australia, encompassing parts of Western Australia, South Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory. However, its current range is severely contracted and highly fragmented, with known populatio...
Critically Endangered
- The Night Parrot was thought extinct for over 100 years, with only a handful of confirmed sightings before its dramatic rediscovery in 2013, earning it the title 'the holy grail' of ornithology. - Unlike nearly all other parrots, it is strictly nocturnal, only becoming active after sunset and r...