Princess Parrot

The Princess Parrot (Polytelis alexandrae), a medium-sized bird adorned in a predominantly green plumage, is a sight to behold. Named in honour of Princess Alexandra of Denmark, this Australian native features a delicate pink throat, a bluish crown, and a rump of the same hue. Its shoulders boast a vibrant green, and it possesses a long, narrow tail that adds to its elegance.

Identification Tips

To distinguish between the sexes, one must look closely. The male showcases a coral-red beak and an orange iris, while the female's beak is more subdued, and her iris, a deeper brown. The male also sports a greyish crown and a unique 'spatula' on the 3rd primary flight feather, a trait absent in females. Mature males are recognized by their longer tail feathers and more vivid coloration.

Habitat

The Princess Parrot favours the arid woodlands and scrubs, where spinifex, eucalypts, and acacias provide a backdrop to its existence.

Distribution

This elusive species roams the interior of Australia, its nomadic nature making it one of the country's least known parrots.

Behaviour

Princess Parrots are known for their nomadic tendencies, appearing in small groups to breed before vanishing once more. They exhibit the unusual behaviour of mobbing predators, a trait not commonly seen among parrot species.

Song & Calls

While in captivity, the Princess Parrot can produce loud calls, a testament to its vocal abilities.

Breeding

Breeding is an opportunistic affair for these parrots, with pairs nesting when food is abundant. They lay four to six white eggs, which are incubated for 19 days. The fledglings take their first flight approximately 35 days post-hatching, emerging from nests hollowed out in eucalypts or desert oaks.

Diet and Feeding

Their diet consists of seeds from grasses and shrubs. In captivity, they thrive on a diet of appropriately sized seeds.

Conservation status

The Princess Parrot is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List, indicating that it faces threats that could lead to its vulnerability in the wild.