Monday, February 2, 2015

ORANGE-BELLIED PARROT

Photographed in Maleleuca, Tasmania February, 2015
490          ORANGE-BELLIED PARROT           Neophema chrysogaster

Australia           (331)

20-22 cm. Breeds in summer in sw Tasmania, migrates to s coast of Victoria and se SA for winter. Extremely endangered, one of Australia's rarest birds, in 2013/14 breeding season only 44 birds known to be alive in the wild, extensive breeding program at Healesville zoo has been reintroducing birds into the wild. Forages on salt marshes, beaches, dunes. Previously known as Orange-breasted Parrot as 'belly' was considered too inelegant; also known as yellow-bellied Parrot, Orange-bellied Grass-parakeet, and Trumped-up Corella.





1 comment:

  1. a beautiful bird - glorious colours - it must be very satisfying and exciting to see such a rare bird in its natural environment - congratulations

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