Pappagallo dal groppone rosso

Identificazione

Red-rumped parrots are slim, moderate-sized parrots approximately 28 cm (11 in) in length. The male's plumage is a bright emerald-green with yellow underparts, a brick-red rump and blue highlights on the wings and upper back. The female's plumage is less vibrant, with pale olive underparts, dull green wings and back and blue-black wingtips. The characteristic red rump is only found in the male.

Tassonomia

The red-rumped parrot was described by John Gould in 1838 as Platycercus haematonotus from a specimen collected in New South Wales. He felt it was intermediate between the genera Platycercus and Nanodes, placing it in the former. He gave it its species name on account of its red rump.<p>It is the type species for the genus Psephotus. It was long presumed to be closely related to the mulga parrot, however analysis of multiple genetic material shows it to be an early offshoot of a group containing the genera Platycercus and Barnardius. Hence all other species in the genus have been moved to the new genus Psephotellus, leaving the red-rumped parrot as the sole member in the now monotypic genus.<p>The IOC has designated red-rumped parrot as its official common name. It is also known as red-backed parrot and grass parrot.

Nome scientifico

Psephotus haematonotus

Autorità

(Gould, 1838)

Ordine

Psittaciformi

Famiglia

Psittaculidae

Genere

Psephotus

Areale e habitat

Migrazione

Resident species

Comportamento

Red-rumped parrots can be found in pairs or flocks in open country with access to water. They avoid the coast and the wetter, more heavily wooded areas. Clearing of large tracts of forest and the provision of water for stock has probably extended their range. They are often seen in suburban parks and gardens. Their green plumage provides such a good camouflage in ankle length grasses that they can hide quite effectively until the viewer is only 10–20 metres away.<p>They spend a great deal of time feeding on the ground, and often call to one another with an attractive chee chillip chee chillip.

Conservazione

Tendenza della popolazione

rising