Scarlet-chested Parrot
Photo · (c) Kym Nicolson, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Scarlet-chested Parrot

Neophema splendida(Gould, 1841)

Endemic
Order
PSITTACIFORMES
Commonness
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The scarlet-chested parrot, known alternately as scarlet-breasted parrot, orange-throated parrot or splendid parrot, is a parrot endemic to central South Australia and inland southern Western Australia. The species is sexually dimorphic; the male has a bright blue face and scarlet chest and yellow underparts, amid overall green plumage, while the female is similar but lacks the red chest. These nomadic parakeets move readily from the Great Victoria Desert region into neighbouring areas. These interruptions are triggered by a search for more favourable conditions. They can survive quite well without access to drinking water, however, as succulent plants help meet much of their fluid requirement. They feed mainly on grass seeds and are most commonly sighted in spinifex.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

02 · Where

Where to find it

Breeding range
East-central WA, south-west NT and SA (south-central Australia)

03 · When

When to look

Months this species is recorded across its Australian range.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

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