19/05/2023
Birdlife Australia Gluepot, Reserve
“Scarlet Fever”
Hello Again,
Just back from another trip to Birdlife Australia, Gluepot Reserve to try and capture and see the stunning Scarlet-chested Parrot (Neophema splendida again, hope you like some more images of this special little bird.
I for one will never forget this experience and felt so privileged to have seen, let alone have the chance to make these few images, hope you like them too?
The scarlet-chested parrot (Neophema splendida) is one of Australia’s most beautiful (and arguably underrated) birds. It’s endemic to arid and semi-arid parts of central South Australia and inland southern Western Australia, particularly throughout the Great Victoria Desert.
Despite being such an attractive bird, it’s among our most poorly understood. What makes it so difficult for scientists to study this species is that it’s nomadic. Rather than there being established colonies, group of them will appear in certain areas, feed and socialise – and perhaps even breed if the conditions are particularly good – and then disappear without a trace moving on to the next feeding spot.
The natural colours of this bird almost seem surreal, nature hit it out the park wen this one was made!
Scarlet-chested parrots are strongly sexually dimorphic – the males have those wonderful bright rainbow colours and the females boast a lovely combination of blues, greens and turquoise,
Male Scarlet Chested Parrot
They fly fast and low so make for a very challenging flight subject
A very colourful bullet!
YIKES!
What can I say….they truly are a stunning little Parrot!
The colours are just amazing
Female Scarlet Chested Parrot
Female back view
Scarlet-chested parrots belong to the Neophema genus of grass parrots – a group of six species known for their preference for feeding on grass seeds and fallen fruits.
Hello…Those bright rainbow colours are unique to scarlet-chested parrots; other species, such as turquoise parrots (Neophema pulchella) and rock parrots (Neophema petrophila), are predominantly decorated in blues and greens and yellows.
The scarlet-chested parrot (Neophema splendida) is one of Australia’s most beautiful (and arguably underrated) birds. It’s endemic to arid and semi-arid parts of central South Australia and inland southern Western Australia, particularly throughout the Great Victoria Desert.
Despite being such an attractive bird, it’s among our most poorly understood. What makes it so difficult for scientists to study this species is that it’s nomadic. Rather than there being established colonies, group of them will appear in certain areas, feed and socialise – and perhaps even breed if the conditions are particularly good – and then disappear without a trace, moving on to the next feeding spot.
Of course no trip to Gluepot would be complete without a few more birds seen around the property!
The Red-capped Robin (Petroica goodenovii) Male
The hooded robin (Melanodryas cucullata)
The jacky winter (Microeca fascinans)
The mulga parrot (Psephotellus varius)
The mulga parrot (Psephotellus varius)
Male & Female mulga parrot’s (Psephotellus varius)
Girls behaving badly
The Mallee Ringnecks (Barnardius zonarius barnardi or Barnardius barnardi)
The Mallee Ringnecks (Barnardius zonarius barnardi or Barnardius barnardi)
The Mallee Ringnecks (Barnardius zonarius barnardi or Barnardius barnardi)
The white-eared honeyeater (Nesoptilotis leucotis)
The common bronzewing (Phaps chalcoptera)
The spiny-cheeked honeyeater, Acanthagenys rufogularis,
Always a fabulous place to visit and will be back for sure…please click the links bellow to both the Gluepot web site and visitor information on how to get there and many more details about this stunning reserve
More images to come from this trip