Fauna
Bird

Red-rumped Parrot

Psephotus haematonotus

Also known as Red-backed Parrot, Grass Parrot, Ground Parrot

Red-rumped parrots spend much of their day foraging quietly on the ground in pairs or small flocks, walking through short grasses with a distinctive waddling gait. Their melodious, whistling contact calls often give them away before they take to the air in swift, undulating flight. Pairs form devoted lifelong bonds, roosting side by side in hollow eucalyptus limbs and preening each other between feeding bouts.

ColorfulDiurnalSeed-eating
Red-rumped Parrot reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyGrass seeds, Thistle seeds, Grain crops
Predators
  • Brown Goshawk
  • Peregrine Falcon
  • Feral Cat
ThreatsLoss of mature nest hollows, competition from introduced birds, and feral cat predation
HabitatsOpen woodlands, river red gum corridors, farmlands, suburban parks, and grasslands
Life span10–15 years in the wild
Classification
  1. OrderPsittaciformes
  2. FamilyPsittacidae
  3. GenusPsephotus
  4. SpeciesPsephotus haematonotus
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe at a normal distance.
Responsible observation
  • Scanning lawns: Look for feeding pairs on short-mown turf in country towns and open parklands.
  • Listening for whistles: Tune into sweet, high-pitched two-tone calls to locate birds hidden in tall grass.
  • Approaching quietly: Keep a steady, low-impact stride to avoid flushing them from their ground foraging spots.
Related species
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