Red Rumped Parrot

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Distribution :

Is prolific and widespread in South and Eastern Australia from around Brisbane to Kangaroo Island and York Peninsula in SA.

Small and plump with a long tail with the cock being bright green with a red rump and the hen being dull olive green minus the red rump. It congregates in flocks, roosting and sheltering in trees but spending most of its time foraging on the ground.

Generally active and conspicuous with busy and brisk mannerisms it can be found at dusk and dawn at water sources.

Breeding occurs from August to January laying 4-7 eggs with the male feeding the hen while she incubates. Both parents however, share the task of raising the young.

Captivity :

We have a number of pairs of these birds in approx. 12 mutations. The personalities of these birds vary from bird to bird. Some are inquisitive and have to know everything that is going on to others that want to get as far away as possible. When you feed greens or soaked seed out some birds are scrambling to the seed before you get your hand out and others make sure you are far away before they go near the food.

Generally they are terrific parents and make great foster parents. When the young leave the nest the parents are continually with the young while they learn to fly. It can be quite comical when there are 5 or 6 chicks all going in different directions and mum and dad are trying to stay with all of them. Most of the time the young are mad. They throw them selves around the cage in panic. It is best to avoid going into the cage if you can. They fly fast but don't stop that well. Some parents will tolerate living in a communal situation with their young others wont. This is where you must watch your birds. Breeding season can lead to wars on dividing wire so sometimes it does pay to swap pairs from one cage to another if this is possible.

Red rump hens when sitting on eggs or with young can vary as well. Some hens will allow you to pick them up and look at eggs or young, some will move to one side of the box, others will leave the box and one hen we had would attack your hand if you put it in her box. We learnt to check her young when she was out.