Mulga Parrot
Psephotellus varius· 长尾鹦鹉科(6 photos)
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Mulga Parrot
25-31 cm. Male: slender, brilliant emerald parrot with yellow on forehead and shoulder; red mark on centre of nape and rump; pale green band across lower back; scarlet/yellow patch on belly, thighs. Female: dull brownish green; red mark on nape and shoulder; green rump. Immature: like dull adults; in flight, female and imm. show pale wingbar. Pairs, family parties: feeds on ground near trees, and in foliage of saltbush, mulgas, eucalypts. Keeps more to cover than Red-rump. Flight audibly swift, undulating, direct; with quick, interrupted wingbeats, distinctive calls; note male's scarlet belly.
- Other Names
- Many-coloured Parrot.
- Similar Species
- Red-rumped, Swift Parrots.
- Voice
- brisk, distinctive flight call, 'swit swit', sometimes running into rapid 'swit-it-it-it'.
- Habitat
- vicinity of water; in mulga, mallee, other scrubs; saltbush with belts of trees; timbered watercourses.
- Breeding
- Aug.-Nov.
- Nest
- in tree hollow; near ground in low woodland, taller trees on watercourses.
- Eggs
- 4-5 (7); white, rounded.
- Range & Status
- suitable habitat across interior of s. Aust.: to parts of w. and s. coasts, from c. NW Cape (WA) to the lower Murray R. (SA); n. through Pilbara (WA); inland to se. Tanami Desert (NT); in Q, n. to Windorah-Tambo, e. to c. Chinchilla; in NSW, e. to Moree-Coonabarabran-Cowra-Corowa; in nw. Vic., e. to L. Boga, s. to Little Desert NP; most SA, except far se., Fleurieu Pen., and Mt Lofty Ras. Sedentary; locally nomadic.
