Introducing a vibrant and colorful bird, whose feathers display a plethora of shades ranging from reds to purples, yellows to greens. Known for its striking blue face, this beautiful bird is none other than the Turquoise Parrot.
The turquoise parrot, scientifically known as Neophema pulchella, is a type of parrot that can be found in the eastern part of Australia, particularly in southeast Queensland, New South Wales, and northeastern Victoria. It was first identified by George Shaw in 1792. This little bird is about 20 cm long and weighs around 40 g. Its males exhibit sexual dimorphism, with their primarily green bodies, yellowish underparts, and bright blue faces. The wings of this species are mostly blue, with red shoulders.
In contrast to males, female turquoise parrots are typically less vibrant and have a lighter coloration. They usually have a pale green chest, a yellow belly and do not showcase a red wing patch. These birds are not known for traveling long distances and are primarily terrestrial. They can be found in a variety of environments including forests, grasslands, and shrublands located at the base of the Great Dividing Range and the surrounding regions.
The Australian King Parrot can be found in a variety of regions throughout Australia, such as southeastern Queensland, New South Wales and parts of Victoria. However, there have been instances where the female bird has been mistaken for a Scarlet-chested Parrot in South Australia due to their similar physical appearance.
Turquoise parrots are commonly seen in small groups or pairs consisting of parents and their offspring. During breeding season, they separate from larger flocks. They nest communally among the foliage of trees at heights between 1 to 8 meters above the ground. The species’ vocalizations, such as its soft contact call and high-pitched zitting alarm call, have not been extensively researched. The turquoise parrot’s diet mainly consists of seeds, and they can be found foraging in open woodlands, forest margins, and grassy areas near trees. They prefer shaded feeding areas and tend to blend into the grass.
The turquoise parrots are loyal to their partners and exhibit bright colors during courtship. The female chooses nesting sites, typically vertical hollows of live or dead eucalyptus trees or old fence posts, however, they have to compete with other bird species for suitable breeding sites. In the past, the species has experienced fluctuations in population and range, and its distribution has decreased significantly. On the positive side, the population in New South Wales has increased since the 1930s, and the species has re-colonized certain areas. Currently, the turquoise parrot is classified as least concern (LC) on the population status scale and is not considered threatened.
The turquoise parrot was once a popular caged bird in the 19th century but became scarce because of fertility problems. Nowadays, it has become more prevalent and able to adapt to aviculture. When kept in captivity, they delight in bathing and have been known to crossbreed with other Neophema species when housed together. There are several color variations of this species, including orange-bellied ones obtained from the wild and recessive and dominant mutations such as red-fronted, pied, jade, and olive forms.
Discover further information about these winged creatures by watching the video provided:
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