Ground Parrots (Pezoporus Wallicus)
Eastern Ground Parrot - profile
Scientific name: Pezoporus wallicus wallicus
Conservation status in NSW: Vulnerable
Description
The Ground Parrot is a stunningly beautiful bird. It is a distinctive, bright grass-green, long-tailed, ground-dwelling parrot of the coastal and sub-coastal heaths, reaching 30 cm long. The green upperparts are heavily mottled with yellow and black, and the greenish-yellow underparts are barred brown. Sexes are alike. The forehead of individuals older than three or four months is orange-red. This species has a distinctive call, given at dawn and dusk, that consists of a series of piercing, resonating whistles, rising in steps, with each note flowing on almost unbroken, but abruptly higher than the preceding note. The species is rarely seen unless flushed, although birds can be seen fluttering low over heath at dusk.
Distribution
There are three recognised subspecies of the Ground Parrot in Australia. The eastern subspecies P. wallicus wallicus inhabits south-eastern Australia from southern Queensland through NSW to western Victoria. In NSW populations have declined and contracted to islands of coastal or subcoastal heathland and sedgeland habitats. The species is found in small numbers on the north coast (Broadwater, Bundjalung, Yuraygir NPs) and Myall Lakes on the central coast. The largest populations occur on the NSW south coast, particularly Barren Grounds NR, Budderoo NP, the Jervis Bay area and Nadgee NR. Small numbers are recorded at Morton and Ben Boyd NP and other areas on the south coast. Estimated population size is about 2000 birds.
- The Ground Parrot occurs in high rainfall coastal and near coastal low heathlands and sedgelands, generally below one metre in height and very dense (up to 90% projected foliage cover). These habitats provide a high abundance and diversity of food, adequate cover and suitable roosting and nesting opportunities for the Ground Parrot, which spends most of its time on or near the ground. When flushed, birds fly strongly and rapidly for up to several hundred metres, at a metre or less above the ground.
- The coastal and subcoastal heathland and sedgeland habitats of the Ground Parrot are particularly fire-prone. Ground Parrots can re-colonise burnt habitat after 1-2 years and reach maximum densities after 15-20 years without fire. Therefore, it is recommended that habitat be protected from extensive and intense fires.
- Home ranges of adult birds is typically 10 ha and overlapping with other birds, while juveniles have a significantly larger home range. There is no evidence of regular long-distance dispersal or migration events.
- Ground Parrots feed mostly on seeds from a large range of plant species, which varies seasonally. An individual bird may consume in the order of 8000 seeds per day from as many as 60 plant species. Other plant material and invertebrates may be ingested.
- Ground Parrots breed from September to December. Breeding is thought to be triggered by increasing seed availability in spring. 2-7 eggs are laid in a shallow bowl of fine sticks and grass, well hidden under overhanging tall, coarse grass, sedge or low, heathy shrubs. The nest is usually screened from above and sides, often with a tunnel in the surrounding dense plants. The female incubates the eggs for 21-24 days and on average a pair successfully fledges two young per season.
- Whilst the dense structure of Ground Parrot habitat makes it difficult for predators to hunt, birds are taken frequently in open habitats such as tracks, roads and fire breaks.
Threats
- Historical loss and fragmentation of habitat through clearing for agriculture and residential developments.
- Extensive and intense fires which temporarily remove habitat.
- Too-frequent fire regimes. Monitoring indicates that habitat does not need to be burnt.
- Predation by foxes and cats may be a threat.
- Psittacine Circoviral Disease (PCD).
- Dieback of heathland habitats from Phytophthora fungus may be a potential threat.
Recovery strategies
Priority actions are the specific, practical things that must be done to recover a threatened species, population or ecological community. The Department of Environment and Conservation has identified 10 priority actions to help recover the Eastern Ground Parrot in New South Wales.
What needs to be done to recover this species?
- Keep domestic cats and dogs indoors at night. Desex domestic cats and dogs.
- Undertake fox and feral cat control programs, particularly after fire events.
- Protect habitat from intense and extensive fire events.
- Assess the appropriateness of cat and dog ownership in new coastal subdivisions.
- Identify, protect and manage previously unknown areas of Ground Parrot heathland and sedgeland habitat.
- Undertake research on whether PCD is present in wild populations of the Ground Parrot.
- Continue long-term monitoring of populations of Ground Parrots to determine fire ecology of the species for fire management strategies.
- Mapping of known and potential habitats in NSW.
- Conduct surveys to determine the distribution and abundance of the Ground Parrot in NSW
Ground Parrot
Scientific name: Pezoporus wallicus
Family: Psittacidae
Order: Psittaciformes
Description
The Ground Parrot is a distinctive, slender parrot which is so shy and elusive that it is not usually seen unless it is flushed out from cover. It is a bright grass-green with black and yellow markings and a prominent pale yellow wing bar. The tail is long and barred with yellow. It has a small red band on the lower forehead. The Ground Parrot is also known as the Swamp Parrot or Button-grass Parrot.
Similar species
The Ground Parrot is unlikely to be confused with any other parrot, but its calls can be confused with those of the Tawny-crowned Honeyeater, Phylidonyris melanops.
Distribution
The Ground Parrot is found in scattered populations along the east coast of Australia, from south-east coastal Queensland and in pockets in north-east and southern New South Wales, through to coastal areas of Gippsland in Victoria and the islands of the Bass Strait to its stronghold in Tasmania.
Habitat
The Ground Parrot lives mainly in heathland, sedgeland or on button-grass plains.
Seasonal movements
Ground Parrots are mainly sedentary in their chosen habitats, but young birds will disperse to find their own territories. Ground Parrots may also move away from fires and fire-affected areas.
Feeding
Ground Parrots usually feed on the ground, eating seeds of sedges, grasses, herbaceous plants and shrubs.
Breeding
The Ground Parrot constructs a nest consisting of a shallow bowl of fine sticks and grass, which is well-hidden under low shrubs. The nest is screened from view, and and this screen often forms a tunnel. The female incubates the eggs and broods the young. During this time of incubation and brooding, the female is fed by the male, who also feeds the young when they hatch.
Living with humans
Humans have impacted on Ground Parrots through clearing or changing their habitat and by altering the frequency of fires. This has caused both a general decline in the population, and a fragmentation of their habitats. The western subspecies of the Ground Parrot, P. wallicus flaviventris, is listed federally as endangered. The eastern subspecies, P. wallicus wallicus, is listed as vulnerable in New South Wales.
References
Higgins, P.J. (ed) 1999. Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 4 (Parrots to Dollarbird). Oxford University Press, Victoria.
Pizzey, G. and Knight, F. 1997. Field Guide to the Birds of Australia. Angus and Robertson, Sydney.
Morcombe, M. 2000. Field guide to Australian Birds. Steve Parish Publishing.
Simpson, K and Day, N. 1999. Field guide to the birds of Australia, 6th Edition. Penguin Books, Australia.
Source: http://birdsinbackyards.net/finder/display.cfm?id=277
Ground Parrot Pezoporus w. wallicus
Description: Plumage grass green, each feather with black and yellow markings; narrow orange-red band to forehead; head, nape, upper back and breast green, each feather with black shaft marking; feathers of abdomen, thighs and under tail-coverts greenish-yellow with black barring; under wing-coverts green; primary coverts green; flight-feathers green with pale stripe across them; underside of flight-feathers with pale yellow wing-stripe; upperside of tail-feathers green with yellowish striped markings, underside brownish; outer tail-feathers yellow with brownish-black striping; bill greyish-brown to horn-colour; cere greyish-pink; narrow periophthalmic ring pale grey; iris whitish-yellow; longish feet greyish-brown; claws not so curved as other parrots.
Immatures: as adults, but with slightly duller plumage; orange-red band to forehead absent; head, nape, upper back and breast green, each feather with distinct black shaft markings; tail shorter; iris brown.
Length: 30 cm
Distribution: Extreme southeast of Queensland to southwest Australia ( scatterde in small groups); Tasmania and some off-shore islands.
Subspecies:Western Ground Parrot (Pezoporus wallicus flaviventris) (North 1911)
Description: as wallicus, but feathers of abdomen and under tail-coverts pale yellow with indistinct black barring.
Distribution: coastal areas of western southwest Australia from Perth north to Geralton.
Habitat: marshy coastal plain without trees, reed beds with low bushes, restricted to button grass areas; species may depend on naturally occurring fires allowing new growth and renewed settlement by the Ground Parrot.
Status: only found in certain localities and endangered throughout; especially threatened by cultivation of large coastal areas, but also foxes, cats and fire; alleged to have strong scent and therefore easily disturbed by dogs.
Habits: A solitary shy and during daylight silent parrot perfect camouflaged by plumage; if disturbed runs away rather than fly, then lands again short distance away; flight characterised by loud, whirring wingbeats and erratic with short gliding phases; this calling period also occurs early in morning; variable high-pitched call audible for some distance; answered by neighbouring members of species; probably local seasonal migrations.
Diet: seeds of various grasses, especially button grass (Mesomelaena sphaerocephala).
Breeding: breeding period from September to January; (on record in March); nest consisted of an excavation in soil 15 cm to 18 cm across and 2 cm (0.75 ins) to 5 cm deep; usually well hidden under small bush or tussock hanging over nest to provide a form of hollow; mostly lined with leaves, grass stalks, fern and small twigs; clutch 3 to 4 eggs; incubation probably 21 days; chicks well camouflaged with thick greyish-black down and protected against cold periods; young remain in nest for two weeks approaching parents for food; fed three times daily; leave nest after three weeks at least disturbance; roost after 25 days outside under tussocks; cannot however fly at this point; egg measures 28.1 x 22.2 mm.
Source: Wikipedia.com
Ground Parrots: The Biology of the Ground Parrot, Pezoporus wallicus, in Queensland. II. Spacing, Calling and Breeding Behaviour
Western Ground Parrot: How rare is the Western Ground Parrot? ... Distribution Map
Taxonomy:
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Sub-Family: Psittacinae Sub-Species: flaviventris, wallicus 
Western Ground Parrots: Genus: Scientific:Pezoporus
... English: Ground Parrots ... Dutch: Grondpapegaaien ... German: Erdsittiche ... French: Pezoport terrestre Species: Scientific: Pezoporus wallicus flaviventris ...
English: Western Ground Parrot ... Dutch: Westelijke Grondpapegaai ... German: Westlicher Erdsittich ...
French: Pezoport terrestre à ventre jaune CITES I ... Protected Species Distribution: Southern coastline of south-western Australia Related Websites: Lexicon
of Parrots ... BAWA Inc.
If you would like to add to or correct any of the above information, or would like to share with web visitors your own experiences, please e-mail the webmaster.
Photo contributions are welcome!
