worldtwitch.virtualave.net           

Parrot Sightings - South-eastern Australia, February - March, 1993

I make the following report as a lay observer. I don't pretend to be an expert ornithologist. I welcome any corrections and suggestions by the experts. This report is also written from a non- Australian perspective, principally for a North American audience. Many of the sightings and material may seem mundane and commonplace to Australians: Galahs might be taken for granted in Australia, but to an outsider they are exotic and precious animals. Dave Cooper San Francisco, California

Although one of the principal objectives of this expedition was not met---to see Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) in their natural habitat---the plethora and variety of other parrots seen definitely assuaged my depression.

I was assuredly within the range of Budgerigars when in north-west Victoria and south-west New South Wales. However, given the nomadic nature of the birds, and their characteristic rapid flight, small size, and highly camouflaged plumage, they successfully eluded me. I also believe that since it was very late summer, and the beginning of autumn, any populations in the regions I visited may have already moved north, as reported in the references.

As an objective for a future expedition, I will concentrate on much more arid regions, such as central Australia, where I hope to have better luck at finding these parrots, along with Major Mitchell's (Cacatua leadbeateri), Bourke's Parrot (Neophema bourkii), and perhaps even the Princess Parrot (Polytelis alexandrae).

I based most of my information in this report on A Field Guide to the Birds of Australia by Graham Pizzey (illustrated by Roy B. Doyle). I selected this book because of its portability in the field, the way information was presented, and the quality of the illustrations. I also used a number of other references to compare and verify information and to resolve discrepancies, these were:

The Birds of Australia by Ken Simpson and Nicolas Day Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds Parrots of the World by Joseph M. Forshaw

There are many differences between these references. For example, Pizzey states there are 55 Australian parrots, whereas the Reader's Digest asserts there are only 51. Pizzey considers the Yellow Rosella (Platycerus flaveolus) and Adelaide Rosella (Platycerus adelaidae) as separate species, whereas Simpson and Day and Reader's Digest consider them as races of the Crimson Rosella (Platycerus elegans). Simarily, Pizzey and Simpson Day consider the Port Lincoln (Barnardius zonarius) and Mallee (Barnardius barnardi) Ringnecks as separate species, whereas Reader's Digest considers the two parrots as races of Barnardius zonarius and merely calls the birds "Ringnecks." Pizzey states there are three Blue Bonnet (Northiella) races, whereas the Reader's Digest asserts there are four. Pizzey does not point out whether the Musk (Glossopsitta concinna) and Purple-crowned (Glossopsitta porphyrocephala) lorikeets are found on Kangaroo Island. Simpson and Day state they both are found there but the Reader's Digest distribution map indicates the Purple-crowned Lorikeet will be found there and not the Musk Lorikeet.

___________________________________________________________
Total Australian parrot species: 55 (according to Pizzey)
Total species sighted: 16
-----------------------------------------------------------

1. Rainbow Lorikeet Trichoglossus haematodus

Large numbers seen in the inner-Sydney suburb of Balmain (where they frequented the terraces of houses to demand sweet handouts). In other parts of Sydney, particularly the suburbs of the North Shore, they were seen alighting on the balconies of high-rise apartments. Their screeching and astonishingly rapid flight always made them immediately identifiable. Also seen at Cann River, Victoria; Kangaroo Island, South Australia; and in the Blue Mountains (west of Sydney, New South Wales). Frequent in coastal and urban areas, rather than interior woodland and farm land. One of the most common parrots seen in this part of the continent, making note of their presence became tedious.

2. Galah Cacatua roseicapilla

The most ubiquitous parrot seen in this part of the continent. When not in a flock, usually seen as pairs, and rarely a single individual. Sometimes Galahs were seen in open woodland and farm land in the company of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos; then it was noted how much more well-mannered, quiet, and refined they were. (Although neighbours to the Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, the Galahs did not deign to actually mix with them). The first sighting were a pair roosting in leafy cover of a tree in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales. Thereafter, in urban Canberra; Bombala, New South Wales; Foster, Victoria; Mt.Gambier, South Australia; Kingston, South Australia; Kangaroo Island, South Australia; Wyperfeld National Park, Victoria, and many other parts of the countryside and urban areas. On my second trip into the countryside in the Riverina district of New South Wales, I noticed many hundreds of these birds; everyday at any time there were always in sight or range of hearing. Sometimes, great flocks of them filled the sky. Driving along the highway from Bathurst to Griffith, I had to take care not to hit the many that habituated the side of the road. Making note of their presence became tedious. Galahs are not shy, and allow a close approach---particularly those in the urban areas. These parrots like to feed on the grass in the late afternoon and early evening. Their habit of feeding at the side of the highways cause a high road-kill rate. They do not seem to have as keen eyesight as the Australian Ravens, Magpies and Magpie-Larks, which are even more numerous, and which also habituate roadsides, as I never saw dead Ravens or Magpies, and only a few Magpie-Larks in comparison. I passed one poor Galah on an asphalt road on Kangaroo Island that had been hit by a car; its wing was broken, but the bird was still alive---pathetically trying to fly away. Some hours later when returning on the same road, the bird was gone---the victim of a predator? In the Riverina district, I witnessed another particularly sad sight where a Galah had been killed by a car, and its mate curiously kept company of the lifeless corpse.

3. Crimson Rosella Platycerus elegans

Very common throughout the coastal forested and urban areas of this part of the continent. The juveniles, mostly green, have starkly different colouration from the adults, mostly crimson; thus the juveniles appear to be a different species, until you notice their association with the adults, and their similar features and habits. They are very tame, and allow a close approach, even those in areas with sparse human populations. At Wilson's Promontory, Victoria, the birds will feed out of your hand---alighting on any part of your body. When hand-feeding them, I noted their addiction to sunflower seeds. They are very brave and will climb into a paper bag to get at the seed. I noticed a very definite flock hierarchy when the birds fed in this way. Some juveniles were more shy than adults, and large males were obviously dominant. After a half hour of the birds alighting mostly on my forearms, I broke out in a rash which had to be treated with disinfectant---the birds had long, prickly toe-nails. I've noticed that these parrots can appear to have pleasant, well mannered personalities, and soft voices; but I've been told that they're only disguising their darker side of loud, squabbly irritability. While feeding them, they certainly weren't noisy, but I could see potential for greedy squabbling. Also seen at the Botanical Gardens, urban Canberra; Lorne, Victoria; the Blue Mountains, New South Wales, and Coledale, New South Wales (see Australian King Parrots below).

4. Eastern Rosella Platycerus eximius

A beautifully coloured parrot, which I was able to easily identify by the pale yellow-green rump. Unfortunately, the birds I encountered were shy and their rump is what I usually saw as they flew away. In Canberra they were in the company of Galahs (although keeping to themselves) feeding on the grassy medium strip during the late afternoon/early evening. I only saw this flock in urban Canberra, and elsewhere it was usually a pair, busily flying across woodland or farm land to some important destination far from where I might disturb them. Also seen in the countryside south of Canberra, Gippsland area of Victoria, near Bairnsdale, and outside of Carcoar, New South Wales.

5. Red-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotus

Usually seen in trees, or on the ground feeding, this parrot was the most quiet of the parrots sighted in this part of the continent. The females (and juveniles?) are a dull green colour and were difficult to identify until seen in the company of males (which are brightly coloured, and clearly identified by their red rump). At Black Mountain Peninsula in Canberra, they allowed a close approach, but preferred the higher branches of a tree. They were wary on closer approach and became silent. In the open country they were more shy and would fly away when attempting to approach more closely. Their small size, and ability to blend in with the very Australian grey-green foliage made them a challenging subject to photograph. Also seen at Kingston, South Australia and in the Wyperfeld National Park, Victoria. Outside of the Wyperfeld National Park, near Hopetoun (correct spelling), Victoria, and between Lake Cargellico and Euabalong, New South Wales they were seen feeding along the roadside in the early morning. In this latter location I noticed they often kept company with Blue Bonnets.

6. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo Cacatua galerita

Very common and usually in large flocks in the open woodland and farm land of the countryside, but also seen in urban areas. The largest flocks were seen in great numbers in the Mallee forest of the Wyperfeld National Park in Victoria. Groups were also seen on open plains, feeding in the grass in Wilson's Promontory, Victoria. Often in the company of Galahs or Little Corellas (Wyperfeld National Park). They were frequently seen flying across countryside, in pairs, or singly. They are the most noisy and demonstrative of the parrots seen, and whether I could get used to their loud screaming and shrieking or whether I would be driven to emigration, I am not certain. Like many parrots, they seem to be more active towards late afternoon/early evening. They allowed only an approach of a few metres under a tall tree, and then, shrieking they would casually fly off to perch nearby. They seem to prefer the bare branches of dead eucalypts. Also seen at Tuggeranong, ACT; Bombala, New South Wales; Bairnsdale, Victoria; Port Jervis, South Australia; between Hillston and Lake Cargellico, New South Wales, and suburban Sydney.

7. Gang Gang Callocephalon fimbriatum

Unfortunately I was never able to see this parrot in favourable light, so the striking grey plumage with the curled punkish crest (scarlet in males), was difficult to discern. Their flight is exactly as described in the field guide: owl-like, as is their call: a rusty nail-hinge. I have never seen the birds before, and while walking through a temperate forest of very tall eucalypts in the late evening near Rockton, New South Wales, I heard their distinctive calls. Looking up I saw 4 of them quietly going about their business high in the tree-tops. With strong binoculars, I identified three non-males (one was definitely a female, the others possibly juveniles), and one male. At Welshpool, Victoria, I was able to identify 2 birds by their boxy shape and their owl-like flight---again it was nearly dark, and difficulty see them.

8. Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo Calyptorhynchus funereus

In tall sclerophyll forest in the Croajingalong National Park, near Point Hicks, Victoria, I noticed three of them flying silently and low in front of the car. The birds alighted high, and some distance off. Their very distinctive and weird calls were precisely as described in the field guide. They would not allow a close approach. Males and females were easily identified. With its black colouration, strange call, and its silent flight through echoey, tall, and silent forest, this parrot has a somewhat eerie presence---deserving of one of its names: Funereal Cockatoo. It is the largest parrot I've seen in the wild. Also seen at Wilson's Promontory, Victoria; Coledale, New South Wales, and on another trip to Australia, in 1987 in very tall sclerophyll forest near Taree, New South Wales.

9. Musk Lorikeet or Purple-crowned Lorikeet Glossopsitta concinna Glossopsitta porphyrocephala

I am not sure whether to identify the birds I saw as Musk Lorikeet or Purple-crowned Lorikeet. On the spot I identified the birds as Purple-crowned Lorikeet because of the colouration and markings, the voice, and the behaviour as described in the field guide. Also the ranger at the Flinder's Chase National Park told me I wouldn't see Musk Lorikeets on Kangaroo Island (one guide disputes this). Later, in conferring other references, it became unclear which species I had seen, especially since I do not remember noticing if the bird had the pale-blue breast and belly typical of the Purple-crowned Lorikeet. Nevertheless, these charming little lories were seen in thick, low, scrubby forest on Kangaroo Island, South Australia in late afternoon. A fast flash of green attracted me, and I stopped the car on the unsealed road. They chattered softly while feeding, and gave the "zit-zit" call when flying off as described for the Purple-crowned Lorikeet in the field guide. They allowed a very close approach considering they were inhabiting national parkland that was far from heavy human populations.

10. Regent Parrot Polytelis anthopeplus

Unfortunately I only saw these parrots in flight, but I believe my identification was correct, as their distinctive deep yellow was unique among all the parrots I have seen. They were also on the medium-large size with a long, slender tail. They were seen in the evening at Wyperfeld National Park, Victoria which is within their Mallee forest habitat of eastern Australia.

11. Little Corella Cacatua sanguinea

I saw a flock of these parrots at the Wyperfeld National Park in Victoria in the evening. They were associating with gangs of noisy Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, perhaps disputing claim to a water tank. The Sulphur-crested Cockatoos were working on being particularly cacaphonic, so it was hard to determine who were saying what. I could hear the wavering falsetto of the Little Corellas, but I could never put the faces with the voices, because the visible birds on the tank didn't seem to be moving their beaks as in speech. The Little Corellas were wary of close approach, and stretched their necks to get a better view before flying off. Galahs were nearby too, but kept a distance and were polite, quiet and reserved---perhaps knowing their place when Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are in the neighbourhood?

12. Mallee Ringneck Barnardius barnardi

A beautiful and brilliant colour-combination of greens, yellows, blues, and black with the distinctive red band on the males. I saw these parrots in the Mallee forest of Wyperfeld National Park, Victoria in the late evening. They are medium-large birds, similar in size to the Crimson Rosella. They allowed a fairly close approach considering the wilderness area they inhabit, and I was able to get a good photograph of a beautiful adult male. Their voices were pleasant and the birds had impeccable manners and superb posture. Also seen in Mallee forest of Cocaparra National Park and Mulga scrub land of the Round Hill Nature Reserve in New South Wales. In this latter location, I was able to approach closely (if done so very slowly) to take a number of excellent photographs.

13. Australian King Parrot Alisterus scapularis

One of the most striking of the Australian parrots---a large medium-sized bird, the male of which is brilliantly coloured in scarlet, green, and blue. I was especially pleased to see him again, having first seen him on a previous trip to Australia in 1987 in the Blue Mountains. This time, a number of birds (males, females, and juveniles) were seen in wet temperate rain forest below the coastal escarpment at Coledale, New South Wales. My host had placed a feeding tray filled with sunflower seeds on his balcony. This attracted Crimson Rosellas and Australian King Parrots. The birds frequented the balcony in the morning and late afternoon/early evening. The Australian King Parrots were obviously dominant, and were always allowed first sitting, whilst the Crimson Rosellas patiently sat nearby waiting. The Crimson Rosellas would squabble at times over rights to feed if there were more than two of them at a time---even chasing each other off, and following the threat with pursuit. The Australian King Parrots were more cautious than the Crimson Rosellas, and would not allow as close an approach.

14. Blue Bonnet Northiella haematogaster

This is the only Australian parrot with a pale grey-brown colouring. This background starkly contrasts the deep purplish-blue, red, green, blue, and yellow markings. I was able to instantly identify the bird as I drove along an unsealed roadway on the western edge of the Cocaparra National Park in New South Wales---grey-brown is an unusual colour for a parrot, and the deep blue wings in flight were very flashy. According to my field guide, there are three races of this parrot, since I didn't notice red wing markings on the Cocaparra pair, I assumed them to be the nominate race. The birds wouldn't allow a close approach, and flew off across a ploughed field into a pine tree. True to their nature, they alighted on the ground below to feed on seeds. Then their grey-brown background and contrasting colours made them almost invisible on the grey-brown ground. I was lucky to see these beautiful parrots again while travelling on more unsealed road between Rankins Springs and Hillston, New South Wales (nominate race?). Here and later on a stretch of road between Euabalong and the Round Hill Nature Reserve, New South Wales, I noticed they sometimes kept company with Red-rumped and Mulga parrots. I think this latter sighting was the haematorrhous rade, as I was attracted to the red on the wings, and more red on the lower breast. The intermixing of the nominate and haematorrhous races in this part of New South Wales is verified in the field guide. Whatever race the Blue Bonnets may belong to, they were always in pairs.

15. Mulga Parrot Psephotus varius

In the field I incorrectly identified this parrot as a Red-rumped parrot until I checked a photograph in the Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds. It was the brilliant emerald-green/turquoise colouration and the yellow markings of the male that made me realise this was a Mulga parrot. Also, the Mulga/Mallee scrub land of the north-eastern Round Hill Nature Reserve in New South Wales confirmed the Mulga parrot's habitat. The pair I saw---male and female---were quietly roosting in the same tree occupied by a number of Blue Bonnets; the male was crouched comfortably between two thick branches. It may be possible that some of the many Red-rumped parrots I had seen throughout south-eastern Australia, particularly in the Mallee forests may have, in fact, been Mulga Parrots. Only in flight and close inspection can I be certain that the birds were Red-rumped parrots.

16. Cockatiel Nymphicus hollandicus

Perhaps this was the most satisfying sighting of all the parrots I have seen on this expedition. My great disappointment at not seeing any Budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulatus) was offset by seeing these, the smallest of the cockatoos. Since I had failed to see any Budgerigars or Cockatiels on my first expedition, I decided to venture further north and west in an attempt to get into more arid regions. It was along the roadside between Hillston and Lake Cargellico in New South Wales during the late morning that I spotted my first Cockatiel (commonly known as Quarrion in this part of the country). A number of times when I thought I had seen Cockatiels, I was fooled by small Crested Pigeons. However, when I noticed the long tail, white and grey feathers, and the easy, slipping and graceful flight, I screeched the car to a halt, shouting out loud in glee: "Cockatiel!" A beautiful male had flown up from the roadside. When getting out of the car, I noticed there were a number of them in the area, and a family of about 5 birds alighted on a dead eucalyptus tree nearby. They settled on the tree exactly as described in the Reader's Digest: "If disturbed they fly to dead trees and perch lengthwise on the limbs, their grey tones blending with the timber." Upon a careful and slow approach, they allowed me to get very close. I noticed a number of either juveniles and females, and one superbly coloured male who kept up a continuous and cautious callings. Finally he had enough of my approach and he flew off with another bird (possibly his mate), leaving a number of younger birds on the tree. I was able to get quite a few excellent photographs. The habitat was exactly as described in the guide---scrubland, open woodland, and roadside.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Cheers

DAVE COOPER

---

---