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.
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.
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) [XC441952]
by Nigel Jackett from Gibson Desert North, Shire of East Pilbara, Western Australia, Australia (alarm call, call)
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.
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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BirdLife International Species Factsheet