Scarlet-chested Parrot

1. Male’s combination of intense blue head, scarlet chest, and yellow belly

2. Female’s pale bluish face and wings with a greener, more subdued appearance

3. Relatively short tail compared to many other small parrots

Scarlet-chested Parrots feed mainly on seeds of native grasses (especially Triodia) and herbaceous plants, and they can survive long periods without surface water by obtaining moisture from succulent plants like Calandrinia. They are ground feeders, often unobtrusive and difficult to flush. Breeding occurs mainly from August to January but can be triggered by rainfall and food availability. Nests are placed in hollows of small trees (often acacia or eucalypt), usually 2.5–8 meters above ground, and breeding is sometimes loosely colonial. Females lay 3–6 eggs, incubating for about 18 days, with young fledging after about 30 days. The species is classified as Vulnerable in New South Wales, with threats including loss of nesting trees, habitat degradation, and trapping for the pet trade.

Scarlet-chested Parrots are found across the arid interior of southern Australia, from southeastern Western Australia through South Australia and into far western New South Wales, with a small population in southeastern South Australia (e.g., Gluepot Station). They inhabit arid mallee and acacia scrublands with sparse spinifex (Triodia) ground cover, especially favouring recently burnt areas (3–5 years post-fire). These parrots are nomadic, moving in response to food and rainfall, and are often found in isolated pairs or small groups.