Rock Parrot
Encyclopedia
The Rock Parrot also known as the Rock Elegant, is a parrot
which is endemic to coastal South Australia
, southern Western Australia
, and that continent's offshore islands, including Rottnest Island
. It is a small, predominantly olive-green parrot. Grass seeds form the bulk of its diet.
in 1841, its specific name petrophila derived from the Greek
petros/πετρος 'rock' and philos/φιλος 'loving'.
and parts of the cheek are pale blue, this is less extensive in females. The breast is olive-grey, and duller in females, while abdomen and vent
are yellow. The wings are predominantly olive with outer flight feathers blue. The yellow-edged tail has shades of olive and blue. The bill and legs are grey and the eyes dark brown. Juveniles are duller and lack the frontal bands.
westwards across coastal South and Western Australia to Shark Bay
.
species, in coastal habitats. They can be approached easily while feeding.
Parrot
Parrots, also known as psittacines , are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three families: the Psittacidae , the Cacatuidae and the Strigopidae...
which is endemic to coastal South Australia
South Australia
South Australia is a state of Australia in the southern central part of the country. It covers some of the most arid parts of the continent; with a total land area of , it is the fourth largest of Australia's six states and two territories.South Australia shares borders with all of the mainland...
, southern Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, and that continent's offshore islands, including Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island
Rottnest Island is located off the coast of Western Australia, near Fremantle. It is called Wadjemup by the Noongar people, meaning "place across the water". The island is long, and at its widest point with a total land area of . It is classified as an A Class Reserve and is managed by the...
. It is a small, predominantly olive-green parrot. Grass seeds form the bulk of its diet.
Taxonomy
The Rock Parrot was described by ornithologist John GouldJohn Gould
John Gould was an English ornithologist and bird artist. The Gould League in Australia was named after him. His identification of the birds now nicknamed "Darwin's finches" played a role in the inception of Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection...
in 1841, its specific name petrophila derived from the Greek
Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek is the stage of the Greek language in the periods spanning the times c. 9th–6th centuries BC, , c. 5th–4th centuries BC , and the c. 3rd century BC – 6th century AD of ancient Greece and the ancient world; being predated in the 2nd millennium BC by Mycenaean Greek...
petros/πετρος 'rock' and philos/φιλος 'loving'.
Description
The Rock Parrot is 22 cm (9 in) long and predominantly olive-brown in colour with a dark blue frontal band line above with lighter blue. The loresLore (anatomy)
The Lore is the region between the eye and bill on the side of a bird's head. This region is sometimes featherless, and the skin may be tinted, as in many species of the cormorant family. This area, which is directly in front of the eye, features a "loral stripe" in many bird species including the...
and parts of the cheek are pale blue, this is less extensive in females. The breast is olive-grey, and duller in females, while abdomen and vent
Anus
The anus is an opening at the opposite end of an animal's digestive tract from the mouth. Its function is to control the expulsion of feces, unwanted semi-solid matter produced during digestion, which, depending on the type of animal, may be one or more of: matter which the animal cannot digest,...
are yellow. The wings are predominantly olive with outer flight feathers blue. The yellow-edged tail has shades of olive and blue. The bill and legs are grey and the eyes dark brown. Juveniles are duller and lack the frontal bands.
Distribution and habitat
Rocky islands and coastal dune areas are the preferred habitats for this species, which is found from Robe, South AustraliaRobe, South Australia
Robe is a town and fishing port on the South East Limestone Coast of South Australia. The town's distinctive combination of historical buildings, ocean, fishing fleets, lakes and dense bush is widely appreciated. Robe lies on the southern shore of Guichen Bay, just off the Princes Highway. At the...
westwards across coastal South and Western Australia to Shark Bay
Shark Bay
Shark Bay is a World Heritage listed bay in Western Australia. The term may also refer to:* the locality of Shark Bay, now known as Denham* Shark Bay Marine Park* Shark Bay , a shark exhibit at Sea World, Gold Coast, Australia* Shire of Shark Bay...
.
Behaviour
Rock Parrots eat seeds of grasses, shrubs and succulent plants, such as CarpobrotusCarpobrotus
Carpobrotus is a genus of ground-creeping plants, with succulent leaves and large daisy-like flowers. The name refers to the edible fruits. It comes from the Greek "karpos" and "brota" .There are about 25 species in this genus, having a disperse distribution worldwide...
species, in coastal habitats. They can be approached easily while feeding.