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Mulga Parrot  (Psephotus varius)

Also Known As: Many-colored Parrot or Parakeet, Varied Parrot
 
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Mulga Parakeet pair

Credit: (c) Tom Tarrant | http://www.aviceda.org/abid/
 
photos Photos videoVideo 1
Video 2
 
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Did You Know?
The name "mulga" comes from the vegetation type that this species favours in Australia. The Mulga Parrot is also known as the "Many-coloured" Parrot.

Status in the Wild
World Population:
Above 100,000

Range: Interior of S Australia.

Habitat:
Found in dry open woodlands and plains with different vegetation types including mallee, mulga, casuarina, saltbush and sea samphire. Also may be seen in mallee scrub and nearby croplands and in dry parts of riverine woodland.

Threat Summary:
May be a decline in the south due to mallee Eucalyptus gacilis clearance.

IUCN Rating:
Least concern

Wild Diet:
Takes grass and herb seeds, acacia seeds, berries, fruits and insects.

CITES Rating:
Appendix II

Ecology:
Feeds on the ground beneath trees, along roadsides, amongst foliage or on spilt grain on farms. Birds feed and drink morning and evening, resting during the hottest part of the day. Are fairly tame when feeding, flying up to treetops when disturbed.

Clutch and Egg Size:
4-7 rounded eggs, 24.0 x 19.0mm (0.9 x 0.7 in).

Breeding Season:
July-December

Links to Other Project(s):
http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/science/abbbs/pubs/jan-1998.pdf

More Info Sites:
http://www.australian-aridlands-botanic-garden.org/general/birds/b_spec/b_mupa.htm

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mulga_Parrot