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
br> 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.
