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 NT    Princess Parrot* Id (Atlas): 279
    Polytelis alexandrae Endemic

Description (10)
Image of Princess Parrot
 

Other Names (World)
Princess Parrot, Alexandra's Parrot, Rose-throated Parrot, Princess Alexandra's Parrot, Spinifex Parrot, Princess of Wales Parakeet, Queen Alexandra's Parakeet, Rose-throated Parakeet

Family
Psittacidae (Parrots)

Size
40 - 45 cm

First Described (Guide)
Gould, 1863

Derivation
Po-lyt'-el-is - Gk, polyteles, magnificent: alexandrae - Princess (later Queen) Alexandra

Abundance (Guide)
UC

Rare, highly nomadic.

Habitat
Spinifex with eucalypt, acacias, desert oaks, desert poplars, hakeas, mistletoes. Parakeelia and other succulents around salt lakes.

Range (Guide)
Australia (B) (NB).

Image of Range of Princess Parrot
 
Far inland parts of central-western and north-western Australia to Northern Territory and northern South Australia.
 
Rarity Status
View Rarity Status Information

Population
Estimated population is 5,000 (2010) and fluctuating.

Status NT
Habitat changes including increased water availability (competition), altered fire regimes, predation by foxes and cats, grazing by sheep, rabbits and camels, are the main threats.

Vulnerable.

See also EPBC Act List of Threatened Fauna.

For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Habits
Usually seen in swales between sand dunes, feeding on a variety of seeds, flowers, fruits and foliage.

Food
Seeds of various plants, chiefly porcupine grass. Feeds mainly on the ground.

Voice
Long rolling call. Cackling chatterings more like a kingfisher than a parrot. Sharp 'queet, queet'. Contant chattering while perched.



Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (1)...)

 
Princess Parrot (Polytelis alexandrae) [XC488068]
     by id from Gibson Desert North, Shire of East Pilbara, Western Australia, Australia (call, flight call)

 
Princess Parrot (Polytelis alexandrae) [XC94034]
     by Mark Carter from Neale Junction Nature Reserve, Australia (call)

Breeding Season (Guide)
September - December, and after rain, or when food supplies are abundant.

J F M A M J J A S O N D
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   


Nest
In a hole of a tree or stump, usually beside a creek.

Eggs (Guide)
4 - 6; high glossy, white; rounded; 26 - 28 x 21 - 23 mm. Incubation: about 20 days; by female.

Young
Fledge in 5 - 6 weeks.

Subspecies
No subspecies.


References
See References.

The Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Pizzey, G., and Knight, E., 1997, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 19691 5
Field Guide to Australian Birds Morecombe, M., 2000, Steve Parish Publishing Pty Ltd. ISBN 1 876282 10 X
Field Guide to the Birds of Australia Simpson, K., and Day, N., 1999, 6th Edition, Viking ISBN 0 670 87918 5
Reader's Digest Complete Book of Australian Birds 1988, 2nd Edition, Reader's Digest ISBN 0 949819 99 9
What Bird is That? 1984, Revised Edition, Angus & Robertson, Sydney ISBN 0 207 14846 5
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand & Antarctic Birds 1990 - , Oxford University Press, Melbourne ISBN 0 19 553244 9


Files:
JPG files for Princess Parrot (Polytelis alexandrae) - 10 filesMP3 files for Princess Parrot (Polytelis alexandrae) - 1 files


More Information

BirdLife International

For more information about the Princess Parrot see... Show Articles BirdLife International Species Factsheet.


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