Northiella | |
---|---|
Eastern bluebonnet | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Psittaciformes |
Family: | Psittaculidae |
Tribe: | Platycercini |
Genus: | Northiella Mathews, 1912 |
Type species | |
Northiella haematogaster (Gould, 1838) |
The term "bluebonnet" refers to the Northiella genus which is subdivided into two species of Australian parrots, these are the Eastern Bluebonnet (Northiella haematogaster; Gould, 1838) [1] and the Naretha Bluebonnet (Northiella narethae; H.L. White, 1921). [2] This genus is named in honour of Australian ornithologist Alfred John North.
The two bluebonnet species are medium-sized parrots endemic to Australia. Their upper body, back and neck areas are a light brown to grey. With the base of their wings having a dark blue patches. [3] However, this species is primarily known for its crimson-coloured belly, yellow chest and light blue forehead and face. [1] [4]
The males within this species group can measure up to 35 cm in length with the females measuring to around 32 cm. Their weight varies between 70-100 grams, depending on the maturity and sex of the bird. [1]
This species is found throughout the central land of Australia, extending from the southern Queensland, majority of the New South Wales (excluding the eastern coastline) to Northern Victoria. There is also evidence of this species being found within the State of South Australia and the eastern side of Western Australia. [1]
The Bluebonnet birds are primarily found within dry inland areas across south-eastern Australia. [3] The favoured habitat for this species is in the Mallee region of north-west Victoria. Where it is found throughout cleared agricultural landscapes [5]
For many years, bluebonnets were identified under the genus Psephotus which categorized them with the red-rumped parrot. [6] The Eastern bluebonnet, Northiella haematogaster is distinguished by their crimson underbelly and the Naretha bluebonnet, Northiella narethae was further separated by the crimson colour under the tail rather than under the belly.
The blue bonnet bird is most active within the spring months of the year. [7] They also have a tendency to be found in small groups [3] due to their social behaviour. Where they are found to be most active during dusk and dawn, this is hypothesized to avoid predator encounters with Nankeen Kestrel or other ground dwelling bird eating mammals. [7] Bluebonnets will often stick in pairs and do not seasonally migrate, nor travel far past their home territory. [6]
The Eastern Bluebonnet have observed drinking patterns of dusk and dawn. The primary diet includes seeds, fruits, small insects and flowers. [7] The Bluebonnet has included introduced vegetation species seeds into its diet such as buffel grass and native species such as the saltbush. [7] [8]
The Eastern bluebonnet global population is unknown but not classified as threatened. The largest known threat to the Eastern bluebonnet is the native vegetation clearing in Victoria. [9]
The genus includes the following two species: [10]
Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution |
---|---|---|---|
Northiella haematogaster | Eastern bluebonnet | Eastern inland Australia, including southern Queensland, western New South Wales, northern Victoria and eastern South Australia. | |
Northiella narethae | Naretha bluebonnet | Southeastern Western Australia to southwestern South Australia | |
Platycercinae is a subfamily of birds belonging to the family Psittaculidae that inhabit Oceania. It consists of two tribes, the ground parrots and allies (Pezoporini) and the many species of broad-tailed parrot (Platycercini).
A broad-tailed parrot is any of about 35–40 species belonging to the tribe Platycercini. The members of the tribe are small to medium in size, and all are native to Australasia, Australia in particular, but also New Zealand, New Caledonia, and nearby islands.
The nankeen kestrel, also known as the Australian kestrel, is a raptor native to Australia and New Guinea. It is one of the smallest falcons, and unlike many, does not rely on speed to catch its prey. Instead, it simply perches in an exposed position, but it also has a distinctive technique of hovering over crop and grasslands.
The crimson rosella is a parrot native to eastern and south eastern Australia which has been introduced to New Zealand and Norfolk Island. It is commonly found in, but not restricted to, mountain forests and gardens. The species as it now stands has subsumed two former separate species, the yellow rosella and the Adelaide rosella. Molecular studies show one of the three red-coloured races, P. e. nigrescens, is genetically more distinct.
The orange-bellied parrot is a small parrot endemic to southern Australia, and one of only three species of parrot that migrate. It was described by John Latham in 1790. A small parrot around 20 cm (8 in) long, it exhibits sexual dimorphism. The adult male is distinguished by its bright grass-green upper parts, yellow underparts and orange belly patch. The adult female and juvenile are duller green in colour. All birds have a prominent two-toned blue frontal band and blue outer wing feathers.
The eastern bluebonnet, also known as the greater bluebonnet, is an Australian parrot, one of two species in the genus Northiella. It was originally included in the genus Psephotus but due to distinctive physical and behavioural differences was reclassified into its own genus in 1994 by ornithologists and taxonomists Christidis and Boles. The bluebonnet is a medium-sized inland parrot commonly found in the interior of southeastern and central-southern Australia. It is adapted to life in semi-arid regions but can also flourish in regions of medium rainfall towards the eastern and southern extremities of its range.
The red-capped parrot is a species of broad-tailed parrot native to southwestern Australia. It was described by Heinrich Kuhl in 1820, with no subspecies recognised. It has long been classified in its own genus owing to its distinctive elongated beak, though genetic analysis shows that it lies within the lineage of the Psephotellus parrots and that its closest relative is the mulga parrot. Not easily confused with other parrot species, it has a bright crimson crown, green-yellow cheeks, and a distinctive long bill. The wings, back, and long tail are dark green, and the underparts are purple-blue. The adult female is very similar though sometimes slightly duller than the male; her key distinguishing feature is a white stripe on the wing under-surface. Juveniles are predominantly green.
The Australian king parrot is a species of parrot endemic to eastern Australia ranging from Cooktown in Queensland to Port Campbell in Victoria. Found in humid and heavily forested upland regions of the eastern portion of the continent, including eucalyptus wooded areas in and directly adjacent to subtropical and temperate rainforest. They feed on fruits and seeds gathered from trees or on the ground.
The nankeen night heron is a heron that belongs to the genus Nycticorax and the family Ardeidae. Due to its distinctive reddish-brown colour, it is also commonly referred to as the rufous night heron. It is primarily nocturnal and is observed in a broad range of habitats, including forests, meadows, shores, reefs, marshes, grasslands, and swamps. The species is 55 to 65 cm in length, with rich cinnamon upperparts and white underparts. The nankeen night heron has a stable population size, and is classified as a species of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The Blue Mountains tree frog also called the variegated river tree frog is a species of tree frog in the subfamily Pelodryadinae. It is endemic to southeastern Australia and is found in eastern Victoria and in southeastern New South Wales. The Jenolan Caves tree frog, a population formerly separated as Litoria jenolanensis, is nowadays included in this species.
The ground parrot is a parrot endemic to Australia. It is one of only four ground-dwelling parrots in the world, the others being the closely related night parrot, the Antipodes parakeet, and the flightless kākāpō from New Zealand.
The turquoise parrot is a species of parrot in the genus Neophema native to Eastern Australia, from southeastern Queensland, through New South Wales and into North-Eastern Victoria. It was described by George Shaw in 1792. A small lightly built parrot at around 20 cm (7.9 in) long and 40 g in weight, it exhibits sexual dimorphism. The male is predominantly green with more yellowish underparts and a bright turquoise blue face. Its wings are predominantly blue with red shoulders. The female is generally duller and paler, with a pale green breast and yellow belly, and lacks the red wing patch.
The satin flycatcher is a species of bird in the family Monarchidae. Males stand out with their blue-black feathers contrasting their white bellies, and the females with their bright orange throats. It breeds mostly in south-eastern Tasmania and Australia. It is declining throughout the eastern seaboard due to predation from the introduced Red Fox and habitat loss. It is a vagrant to New Zealand.
The crimson-bellied woodpecker is a species of bird in subfamily Picinae of the woodpecker family Picidae. It is found in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
A blue bonnet is a type of soft woollen hat that was the customary working wear of Scottish labourers and farmers.
The Naretha bluebonnet or Naretha parrot is a bird found in a remote and arid region of Australia. It is one of two species in the genus Northiella, and was first recorded in 1921 in Central Australia.
Ranger Red's Zoo & Conservation Park, formerly Peel Zoo, is a zoo and wildlife sanctuary located on the banks of the Murray River in Pinjarra, Western Australia. It is a member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association.