Naretha Bluebonnet

1. Completely yellow belly with no red patch

2. Bright blue face and forehead contrasting with olive-grey upperparts

3. Red undertail coverts and red shoulder patches in flight

These parrots feed on seeds from native grasses, saltbush, bluebush, and sometimes introduced weeds. They are highly adapted to dry conditions and can obtain moisture from their food, surviving without direct access to water for extended periods. Breeding usually begins by mid-July, often following good rainfall, and peaks between August and January. Nests are typically in small hollows or crevices in she-oak or acacia trees, sometimes close to the ground due to the scarcity of suitable trees. The female lays 4–7 white eggs and incubates them alone for about 22 days, with the male providing food and both parents feeding the chicks, which fledge after about 3 days.

Naretha Bluebonnets are restricted to the Myall woodlands fringing the Nullarbor Plain in southeastern Western Australia and adjacent South Australia. They are most often seen in areas dominated by western myall (Acacia) and she-oak (Allocasuarina) trees, especially near water sources such as stock troughs. Look for them in small groups foraging on the ground at dawn and dusk, or listen for their unique chattering calls. Their remote, arid habitat means sightings are rare and often require dedicated travel along the Trans-Australian Railway or remote tracks`.`