Golden-shouldered Parrot

Other names
Also known as Ant-bed or Ant-hill Parrot.

Description
This parrot is about 25 - 27 cm long.

Males have a slender appearance with an upright turquoise-blue plumage. Has a separate smallish black cap and a pale yellow forehead. Sports a brown back/wings with a golden shoulder patch. Belly and undertail-coverts are salmon-pink.

Females are a pale bitter-green with blue-grey cheeks. Has a pale blue lower breast and flanks/rump. Belly and undertail-coverts are pink. Juvenile males are greener; much like adult females. However, young males sport darker crowns and a turquoise crown. Juvenile females show a pale wingstripe in flight.

Similar species
Similar to the Hooded Parrot.

Calls
Chirruping calls which consist of a soft, pleasing chee chee or cheer-weeo.

Reproduction
Breeds between March to August. Nests are built in the cavity excavated at the end of a battle tunnel in a termite mound. Lays around 5-6 eggs.

Distribution/habitat
Was formerly widespread in central York peninsula of Australia. Now found mostly in the central peninsula though the population of parrots has declined.

Found in open eucalypt, paperback woodlands and grasslands with termite mounds (which can support nests during breeding seasons).