Orange-bellied Parrot

The Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster) is a diminutive and vibrant bird, measuring a mere 20 cm in length. It is one of the rare parrots that migrate, a trait shared with only two other species. The male is resplendent with bright grass-green upper parts and a yellow underbelly, adorned with a distinctive orange patch. The female and juvenile are a more subdued green, but all share the striking two-toned blue frontal band and blue outer wing feathers.

Identification Tips

Adult males can be identified by their vivid green upper parts and yellow underparts, with the hallmark orange belly patch. Females and juveniles are less brightly colored, and the females have a smaller and less conspicuous orange belly patch. Both sexes have a blue frontal band and blue on the flight feathers. The bill is greyish with an orange base, and the legs are dark grey with a reddish tinge.

Habitat

The Orange-bellied Parrot breeds in Tasmania and migrates to the southern coast of mainland Australia for the winter. They favor saltmarshes, beach or dune plants, and a variety of exotic weed species for foraging.

Distribution

This parrot breeds in Tasmania and winters on the southern mainland coast of Australia. It has been known to stop at King Island and has a few mainland sites including estuaries and lagoons with salt marsh habitats.

Behaviour

The Orange-bellied Parrot is monogamous, with pairs forming either before migration or upon arrival in Tasmania. They are capable of breeding in their first year and tend to nest in hollows of mature eucalypts. The species is known for its ground foraging behavior, often seen in pairs or small flocks.

Song & Calls

The contact call is a single-note buzzing sound, while the alarm call is a quickly repeated 'tzeet'. They also make soft, low-pitched chitting sounds when feeding.

Breeding

Breeding occurs in southwestern Tasmania, with the season spanning from November to February. Nesting takes place in tree hollows, and the female lays 3 to 6 white eggs. Both parents feed the young, which fledge at 4-5 weeks old.

Diet and Feeding

The diet consists of seeds and berries from small coastal grasses and shrubs. Important food plants include beaded glasswort and shrubby glasswort. They forage on the ground or in low foliage and roost at night in trees or tall shrubs.

Conservation Status

The Orange-bellied Parrot is critically endangered, with a wild population of just 14 birds as of early February 2017. A captive breeding program is in place to bolster the population, which consists of around 300 birds. The species faces threats from habitat fragmentation, competition, and disease, among others.

Similar Species

The Blue-winged and Elegant Parrots can be mistaken for the Orange-bellied Parrot, but they can be distinguished by their lighter olive-green upperparts and different alarm calls.

Recovery Program

A recovery program is in place, with new birds from the wild introduced to improve genetic diversity. Captive breeding efforts are ongoing across several institutions, with the aim of releasing captive-bred birds back into the wild.

Threats

Threats to the species include habitat degradation, competition with introduced seed-eaters, altered fire regimes, and disease. Conservation efforts are focused on mitigating these threats and increasing the wild population through captive breeding and release programs.

Impact on Industrial Development

The presence of the Orange-bellied Parrot has influenced industrial development decisions, including the relocation of facilities and the assessment of wind farm impacts. Conservation considerations have sometimes led to project modifications or additional funding for the species' recovery.

Aviculture

The Orange-bellied Parrot has been bred in captivity, with success first achieved in the 1970s. However, the species can be prone to obesity in an aviary setting, and breeding efforts are now primarily focused on conservation programs.