English Name

Red-Rumped Parrot

Spanish Name

Perico de Rabadilla Roja

Latin Name

Psephotus haematonotus

Origins

Males

The entire head is a light green which may have a slight bluish tinge adding to the appearance. The chest is green while the abdomen is a a rich yellow daffodil colour. The back, neck and wings are a similar but slightly darker green than its head. A large dark red patch is seen above the rump and the most outer parts of the tail are green, with the undersides of the tail are pale whitish colours. The flight feathers on the wings are a bright cobalt blue which gives the most remarkable contrast. There is usually a small yellow patch that is seen just above the flight feathers on the wings. The eyes, beak and nails are black while the feet having a brownish appearance.

Females

The female is an entirely different colour bird. Majority of her feathering consists of pale greens and browns with a hint of light blues. The head, chest, neck, back and tail feathers are a greyish olive green colour. The face area and underside of the tail is a almost paler colour of her body. The shoulders and flight feathers are a light rich sky blue colour. Like the male the eyes, beak and nails are black while the feet having a brownish appearance.

Size

Weight

Male 95 grams.

Female 70 grams.

Rings

Character

Unlike most parrots which shriek, Red-Rumped Parrots a quiet ringing call, almost a song that can turn to a grating chatter when the birds squabble or de fend their nests.

Parrots are gregarious creatures; many are monogamous and often stay paired for long periods. Red-Rumped parrots form flocks. They stay in pairs within the flock and maintain their bonds by mutual preening.

Red-rumped Parrots are quite aggressive and should not be kept with other birds.

Feeding

Additional food stuffs such as fruit, vegetable's, pelleted diets will of course enhance their diet to provide healthy and strong birds, especially during the breeding season.

Fruits: apples, pears, bananas, peaches, cherries, nectarines.

Vegetables: carrots, lettuce, spinach, capsicum, corn.

Others: hard boiled eggs, pine nuts, berries.

Nuts: almonds, cashews, peanuts.

Breeding Cages

The Red Rumped Grass Parrot isn't a fussy bird when it comes to breeding. They will accept many types of boxes

Nest

Width

25 cm.

Depth

26 cm.

Height

30 cm.

Hole Diameter

Nesting Material

A soil base should be used for them to lay their eggs in. Use a clean type of potting mix that has no chemicals in it, which is filled about 2.5 cm in depth inside the nesting box.

Breeding Period

August - January

Although additionally quite often they will breed out side of these months.

Eggs

4 – 7 white eggs.

Incubating

The female incubates the eggs while the male feeds her. Both sexes participate in rearing the young.

Incubation

19 – 20 days.

Fledging

30 days old, they remain with their parents for some months.

Young males with less red to lower back; adult plumage attained at 4 months.

Birds can be sexed when they are still in the nesting boxes.

Batches

Lifespan

15-20 years

Breeding Life

Sexual Maturity

They reach sexual maturity at around 12 months of age.

Aviaries

The Red Rumped Grass parrots or "Grassies" as they are otherwise known to Australian aviculturists are very easily housed in aviaries. Their hardy body will see through most weathered conditions if housed adequately. The Red Rumped Grass Parrot is fairly aggressive towards other bird types especially during breeding season. I have seen these birds even attack their own members of their group when competing for a mate to breed with.

Temperatures

Health Problems

Red-rumped parrots have a tendency to become overweight when kept in small aviaries. This is easily remedied by removing the majority of oily seeds (such as safflower and sunflower) from their diet.
Because Red-rumped Parrots spend quite a great deal of time feeding on the ground, they are at risk from fungal infections and intestinal worms. This is relatively easy to prevent by maintaining a high standard of hygiene.

Observations

The Red-rumped Parrot has hybridised with the Eastern and Western Rosellas, Mallee Ringneck, Mulga, Bluebonnet, Hooded, Red-capped Princess, Golden Shoulder, Parrots. And some neophemas as the Bourke parrot.

Colour Mutations