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Red Rumps
The Red rumps Parrot or Psephotus haematonotus, also called Grass Parrot and grassy, is a common parrot found mostly in south eastern Australia, especially in the Murray Darling Basin. Interestingly, they are one of the few birds that have got advantage from the huge tree clearing that has been happening in Australia as they feed on grass seeds.
Red rumps parrots is slim, elegant and moderate size parrot. It is approximately 28cms in length. The feathers of Red rumps male are bright emerald green with yellow under parts. There are brick red rump and blue highlights on the wings and upper back.
The female Red rumps plumage is not so vibrant. It has pale olive under parts and dull green wings and back and blue-black wingtips. Female Red rumps are among the dreariest of Australian parrots, with dull yellow on neck and breast. They have white under tail and some blue feathers on the shoulder.
The immature Red rumps are similar yet dull in look than adults. The Red rumps parrot is social and roosts in group. It forages, primarily on the ground and at times assembles in small flocks. It is usually active, blatant and easily approachable. It takes water at dawn and dusk and periodically during day.
You can often see Red rumps parrots flying in pairs or in flocks in open country areas. They love the places where there is access to water. They keep off from the coast and the wetter or heavily wooded areas. Cutting off of huge tracts of forest and the management of water for stock purposes has broadened their range. Today the Red rumps are often seen in suburban parks.
Despite the long tail, which is a sign of an arborary bird, Red rumps spend a good amount of their time feeding on the ground. They often call each other with a beautiful sound of ‘chee chillip chee chillip’.
The Red-rumped Parrot feeds in pairs or small flocks on the ground, preferring seeds and leaves of grasses. They spend most of their time on the ground and looking for seed. In trees or in grass, they are frequently conspicuous due to their coloring. Red Rumps parrot is generally only watched when they take flight. It also feeds on seeds, fruits and flowers on trees. You can also often see them feeding in the suburban parks around Melbourne. They usually feed with other parrots, such as, Eastern Rosellas and Galahs.
Breeding generally takes place in spring from August to January. Happening in the dryer inland areas, breeding occurs at any time of the year as a response to rainfall. Red rumps parrots breed for life. Breeding happens from August to January.
Female parrot selects and makes the nesting site, which is generally a hollow in a eucalypt tree. It also sometimes uses a nest-box or other artificial place. Laying 4-7 eggs, she incubates while the male feeds her. Both parents together raise the young parrots. The eggs are laid on a rotten wood bed. The young are fed for a while after they take flight.