Golden-shouldered Parrot

The golden-shouldered parrot, a diminutive and strikingly coloured bird, measures between 23 to 28 centimetres in length and tips the scales at a modest 54 to 56 grams. The male of the species is resplendent with a predominantly blue plumage, adorned with a distinctive yellow patch over the shoulder, a black cap, and a pale yellow frontal band. His underparts are a dark salmon pink, extending to the lower belly, thighs, and undertail-coverts, while his lower back is a more subdued grey-brown. The female, in contrast, is cloaked in a more muted greenish-yellow, with a broad cream bar beneath the wings and, in mature birds, a charcoal grey cap. Both sexes share the pale salmon pink hue of the vent feathers, while juveniles resemble the adult female, though young males boast a more vivid blue cheek patch.

Identification Tips

To identify the golden-shouldered parrot, look for the male's bright blue plumage with yellow shoulders and black cap, or the female's duller greenish-yellow with a cream wing bar. Juveniles can be discerned by their similarity to females but with brighter blue on the cheeks in males.

Habitat

This parrot favours open forested grasslands, dotted liberally with termite mounds, which play a crucial role in their life cycle. The presence of these mounds is vital, as they serve as nesting sites for the birds.

Distribution

The golden-shouldered parrot is a rare and localized resident of southern Cape York Peninsula in Queensland, Australia.

Breeding

These parrots exhibit a preference for nesting in termite mounds where 3 to 6 eggs are laid. They particularly favour the lower dome types, which offer a stable temperature for their eggs. They have developed a symbiotic relationship with the antbed parrot moth, whose larvae help maintain nest hygiene. Interestingly, there seems to be a higher birth rate of males, possibly as a natural countermeasure to their higher predation rates in the wild. Three to six eggs are laid

Diet and Feeding

Their diet consists primarily of seeds from small grass species, with a heavy reliance on the seeds of firegrass during certain months. The availability of these seeds is crucial for their survival, especially before the wet season.

Conservation Status

Classified as Endangered under CITES Appendix I, the golden-shouldered parrot faces threats from habitat changes, predation, and loss of feeding grounds. Conservation efforts are underway, including habitat management and supplementary feeding to support the dwindling population, which is estimated to be between 700-1,100 individuals in the wild.