Mulga Parrot (Psephotellus varius)

Other Names (World)
Mulga Parrot, Many-colored Parrot, Many-coloured Parrot, Varied Parrot, Many-colored Parakeet, Many-coloured Parakeet

Family
Psittacidae (Parrots)

Size
27 - 28 cm

First Described (Guide)
(Clark, 1910)

Derivation
Pseph-ö'-tus - Gk, inlaid with pebbles: var'-i-us - L., multi-colored

Abundance (Guide)
MC

Moderately common, abundant in good seasons, at other times scarce.

Habitat
Semi-arid areas. Mulga, mallee, saltbush with scattered small trees, watercourse lined with large trees, drier farmlands, never far from water.

Range (Guide)

Australia (B).

Central Australia, south-western Queensland to north-western Victoria and the inland areas of South Australia and Western Australia.

Rarity Status
Currently this species is not classified as a rarity in this country OR information has not been updated.

Population
Estimated population is unknown (2010).

Status LC
Probably secure.

For more information see BirdLife International Species Factsheet.

Habits
In pairs or small parties.

Food
Seeds of grasses, herbs, shrubs and trees. Also flowers, fruits and occasionally insect larvae.

Voice
A brisk, distinctive, 'swit swit', uttered in flight, sometimes running into a rapid, 'swit-it-it-it'.

(44Kb) © ? (1)

Xeno-Canto Sound Files (more (28)...)

Mulga Parrot (Psephotellus varius) [XC334644]
by Marc Anderson from Gluepot, South Australia, Australia (call)

Mulga Parrot (Psephotellus varius) [XC383150]
by Peter Boesman from Mount Gibson Sanctuary, Western Australia, Australia (call)

Breeding Season (Guide)
August - November.

Nest
In a hollow of a tree.

Eggs (Guide)
4 - 6, usually 5; white; rounded; about 24 - 25 x 18 - 19 mm. Incubation: about 19 days; by female.

Young
Fledge in about 28 days. Fed by both parents, by regurgitation.

Subspecies
Sometimes placed in genus Platycercus.

No subspecies.

Similar Species
Normally unmistakable but can be confused with Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus), especially female with female.

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

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