Psephotus haematonotus
The Red-rumped Parrot, *Psephotus haematonotus*, is a striking, medium-sized psittacine native to southeastern Australia, often celebrated for its vibrant plumage and adaptability. Males are particularly brilliant, sporting an iridescent emerald green body, a bright yellow belly, a turquoise-blue face, and most notably, a vivid brick-red rump patch that gives the species its common name. Females are more subdued, with a duller olive-green body, pale yellow belly, and a paler red rump. They ty...
Red-rumped Parrots primarily inhabit open grasslands, sparsely treed woodlands, mallee scrub, and agricultural areas, often near watercourses. They are generally found in lowland environments, preferring open country to dense forests.
The diet of the Red-rumped Parrot consists mainly of grass seeds, herbaceous plants, and the seeds of agricultural crops, which they forage for directly on the ground.
These diurnal parrots spend much of their day foraging on the ground, often in small, loose flocks or family groups. They are highly agile walkers, picking up seeds and fresh green shoots. At dusk, they typically gather in larger communal roosts within trees, providing safety in numbers. Courtshi...
The Red-rumped Parrot is endemic to southeastern Australia, inhabiting a broad range that includes much of New South Wales, Victoria, and southeastern South Australia, extending into the southern parts of Queensland. They are resident throughout this distribution, exhibiting no significant migrat...
Least Concern
- The Red-rumped Parrot is unusually terrestrial for a parrot species, spending much of its time foraging on the ground. - Males are famously vibrant with iridescent green and a bright red rump, while females have much duller, olive-green plumage. - Their population has actually benefited from ag...