Red-rumped Parrot

The Red-rumped Parrot is a familiar and widespread grass parrot of inland southeastern Australia, often seen feeding on lawns, roadsides, and farmland. Males are brightly colored, while females are more subdued.

Adult males show turquoise-green upperparts, a yellow-green belly, and a small but distinctive red patch on the lower back (rump), which is largely hidden until the bird flies or spreads its wings. Females are duller olive-gray-green overall and lack the red rump.

Plumage

• Male: bright green upperparts, yellowish belly, red rump patch
• Female: dull olive-green overall, no red rump
• Both sexes: long tail, unmarked face

Key field marks

• Medium-small parrot often seen feeding on the ground in pairs or small flocks
• Male: vivid green body with a small red patch on the rump, visible mainly in flight
• Female: plain grayish-olive-green, best identified by association with males or habitat
• Undulating flight typical of grass parrots

Similar species

Females can be confused with female Mulga Parrots or Blue Bonnets, but the Red-rumped Parrot's plainer face (lacking blue cheek patches) and typical open farmland/parkland habitat help distinguish it. Males are readily identified by the combination of green body and red rump.

Range

The Red-rumped Parrot is widespread across inland southeastern Australia, including much of New South Wales, Victoria, and southeastern South Australia.

Habitat

It favors open woodland, grassy plains, farmland, and even urban parks and gardens, generally avoiding dense forest. It is largely sedentary, though some local movement occurs in response to food availability, and it has adapted well to agricultural and semi-urban landscapes.

Behavior

Red-rumped Parrots are typically seen in pairs or small flocks feeding quietly on the ground, flying up with a soft chattering call when disturbed. They are tolerant of human activity and common in rural towns and farmland.

Voice

Calls include a soft, musical chattering contact call in flight and quieter conversational notes while feeding.

Feeding

They feed mostly on the ground, taking seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants, and will also visit crops and roadside verges.

Nesting

They nest in tree hollows, typically laying 4-7 eggs, with the female performing incubation while the male feeds her nearby.