Indicative distribution
The areas shown in pink and/purple are the sub-regions where the species or community is known or predicted to occur. They may not occur thoughout the sub-region but may be restricted to certain areas.
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click here to see geographic restrictions).
The information presented in this map is only indicative and may contain errors and omissions.
Scientific name: Neophema chrysogaster
Gazetted date:
15 Dec 2000
Profile last updated:
20 Jun 2019
Description
The Orange-bellied Parrot is a small, stocky, ground-dwelling parrot, primarily a deep, grassy green. It is noticeably smaller than the superficially similar and much more familiar Red-rumped Parrot Psephotus haematonotus. It has a blue forehead-band (that does not extend behind the eye), a green (not yellow) face, and blue wing-edges. The orange patch on the yellow belly is not a very reliable field mark. It sometimes feeds with the very similar Blue-winged Parrot Neophema chrysotoma. Its buzzy alarm call is also unique.
Distribution
The Orange-bellied Parrot breeds in the south-west of Tasmania and migrates in autumn to spend the winter on the mainland coast of south-eastern South Australia and southern Victoria. There are occasional reports from NSW, with the most recent records from Shellharbour and Maroubra in May 2003. It is expected that NSW habitats may be being more frequently utilised than observations suggest. Typical winter habitat is saltmarsh and strandline/foredune vegetation communities either on coastlines or coastal lagoons. Spits and islands are favoured but they will turn up anywhere within these coastal regions. The species can be found foraging in weedy areas associated with these coastal habitats or even in totally modified landscapes such as pastures, seed crops and golf courses.
Habitat and ecology
- On the mainland, the Orange-bellied Parrot spends winter mostly within 3 km of the coast in sheltered coastal habitats including bays, lagoons, estuaries, coastal dunes and saltmarshes. The species also inhabits small islands and peninsulas and occasionally saltworks and golf courses. Birds forage in low samphire herbland or taller coastal shrubland.
- Diet mainly comprises seeds and fruits of sedges and salt-tolerant coastal and saltmarsh plants. Occasionally, flowers and stems are eaten.
- Orange-bellied Parrots are known to forage among flocks of Blue-winged Parrots.
- Recent records from unexpected places, including Shellharbour and Maroubra suggest that the species may be expanding their selection of habitats and foraging plant species. Birds seen in NSW in 2003 were foraging on weed species several hundred metres from the coast.
Regional distribution and habitat
Click on a region below to view detailed distribution, habitat and vegetation information.
Threats
- Fragmentation and degradation of coastal overwintering habitats on the NSW coast including saltmarsh and dune habitats from grazing, agricultural and residential impacts.
- Fox and cat predation are known threats to Orange-bellied Parrots.
- Competition for food resources with other seed eaters
- Psittacine Circoviral Disease (PCD) has been recorded in captive and wild populations.
- The population is very small (<200 birds) and has a restricted breeding distribution (in Tasmania) that may be impacted by catastrophic events such as fire or storms.
Recovery strategies
A Saving Our Species conservation project is currently being developed for this species and will be available soon. For information on how you can contribute to this species' recovery, see the Activities to assist this species section below.
Activities to assist this species
- Encourage the public to look for Orange-bellied Parrots in coastal NSW and encourage them to report sightings to OEH. In particular, focus survey efforts in areas known to be utilised by Blue-winged Parrots as both species are known to operate in same foraging group.
- Keep domestic dogs and cats indoors at night. Desex domestic dogs and cats. Assess the appropriateness of dog and cat ownership in new residential subdivisions.
- Undertake fox, wild dog and feral cat control programs targeting known high quality habitat.
- Identify, protect and manage potential coastal over-wintering habitats on the NSW coast, particularly those areas that are not in formal reserves.
- Secure known foraging habitats from overgrazing, predators and competitors.
Information sources
- Forshaw, J.M. (2003) Australian Parrots. (CSIRO Publishing, Collingwood)
- Higgins, P. and Davies, S. (eds.) (1996) Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds Volume 3: Snipe to Pigeons. (Oxford University Press, Melbourne)
- Loyn, R.H., Lane, B.A., Chandler, C. and Carr, G.W. (1986) Ecology of Orange-bellied Parrot Neophema chrysogaster at their main wintering site. Emu 86, 195-206.
- NSW Scientific Committee (2000) Orange-bellied Parrot. Endangered species determination - final. DEC (NSW), Sydney.
- Starks, J., Brown, P., Loyn, R. and Menkhorst, P. (1992) Twelve years of winter counts of the Orange-bellied Parrot Neophema chrysogaster. Australian Bird Watcher 14, 305-12.
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