Ground Parrot, held by researcher.
© J Baker
Ground Parrot.
Photo: D Watts © D Watts
Ground Parrot at nest with chicks.
Photo: Norman Chaffer Estate © Australian Museum
Ground Parrot chicks.
Photo: Norman Chaffer Estate © Australian Museum
Distribution map of Pezoporus wallicus
Map © Birds Australia Birdata
Ground Parrot
Scientific name: Pezoporus wallicus
Family: Psittacidae
Order: Psittaciformes
- Featured Bird Groups
- Parrots
What does it look like?
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.
Where does it live?
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.What does it do?
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 us
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, Melbourne.
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.