Blue-winged parrot

The blue-winged parrot (Neophema chrysostoma), also known as the blue-banded parakeet or blue-banded grass-parakeet, is a small parrot found in Tasmania and southeast mainland Australia. This charming bird is known for its beautiful colors and playful behavior. During certain times of the year, groups of blue-winged parrots travel to Tasmania, where they spend the summer months.

These parrots are interesting because they look different depending on whether they are male or female, a trait called being sexually dimorphic. Males have more bright blue on their wings and a special two-toned blue band on their heads, while females are usually duller with more green coloring. Despite these differences, both males and females have mostly olive-green feathers covering their bodies.

Blue-winged parrots are mostly found hopping around on the ground where they search for food. Their favorite meals are seeds from various grasses. Because they are friendly and easy to care for, these parrots often do well when kept in captivity by people who love birds. Their bright colors and gentle nature make them a joy to watch and hear.

Taxonomy

The blue-winged parrot was first described by German naturalist Heinrich Kuhl in 1820. It was sometimes confused with the turquoise parrot because of similar looks. Over time, it has been called by many names, such as the blue-banded parakeet or the Hobart ground parrot.

Scientists have studied its family tree using mitochondrial DNA. They found that the blue-winged parrot is most closely related to the rock parrot. Their ancestors likely separated from each other between 0.7 and 3.3 million years ago.

Description

The blue-winged parrot is a small bird, measuring from 20 to 24 cm long and weighing about 55 grams. Both males and females are mostly olive-green, but males have more blue on their wings and a special two-toned blue band on their face, while females are duller with less blue and more green. Young parrots look similar to females but without the blue band on the face.

The blue color on the wings helps to tell the blue-winged parrot apart from other similar parrots, like the elegant parrot and the orange-bellied parrot, which have more yellow or bright green feathers.

Distribution and habitat

The blue-winged parrot lives in southeastern Australia, including areas in South Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales, and as far north as Diamantina National Park. It prefers open areas such as woodlands, grasslands, orchards, and farmlands, and can be found up to 1,200 metres above sea level.

This parrot is special because it is one of only three parrot species that regularly migrate over water. Many travel between Tasmania and the mainland each year, spending spring and summer in Tasmania and winter on the mainland. Some birds stay in Tasmania throughout the winter, while others remain on the mainland to breed in summer. It is also a spring visitor to King Island in the Bass Strait.

Feeding

Blue-winged parrots mainly search for food on the ground, enjoying seeds from various grasses such as wallaby grass (Austrodanthonia), silver hairgrass (Aira caryophyllea), and pale sundew (Drosera peltata). They also eat seeds from plants like Poa caespitosa and introduced capeweed (Arctotheca calendula). Sometimes, they are seen feeding together with European goldfinch in places like Victoria. Their flock sizes change with the seasons, from just pairs during breeding time to groups of up to 2,000 birds before they migrate in autumn. Flock size varies depending on the time of year.

Breeding

Breeding for blue-winged parrots happens from September to January, with one or two broods each season. These parrots nest in the hollows of live or dead trees, usually eucalypts, up to 20 meters above the ground. They lay four to six glossy white eggs, each about 22 mm long and 19 mm wide. It takes around 20 days for the eggs to hatch, and the baby birds stay in the nest for another 35 days before leaving.

Parasite

The blue-winged parrot has been found with a specific type of bird louse called Forficuloecus greeni. This louse is a parasite that can live on the feathers of the parrot.

In captivity

The blue-winged parrot does well in captivity and can live happily in a communal aviary that is about 3 m (10 ft) long. These parrots have also been crossed with other types of parrots, such as the elegant and turquoise parrots, creating interesting mixes.

Main article: /wiki/Parrot_cultivation