Turquoise Parrot Ecosystems

The turquoise parrot is a small, colorful bird native to parts of Australia. In aviary circles, the bird has become popular due to its coloration, its tameness and ease of care. Some parts of Australia list the bird as vulnerable, but the federal government has not listed it as endangered. Still, the study of the habitat and ecosystems of and around the turquoise parrot are of concern to ecologists who want to preserve the world's vulnerable species for generations to come.

  1. Distribution

    • The bird has been found all over Australia, but nowadays it mainly inhabits parts of Queensland, New South Wales and parts of Victoria all of which are in the

      southeast of the country. The range of the bird was formerly more expansive, leading conservationists to believe that the bird is being pushed back due to human actions. These areas of Australia where the parrot is commonly found share some of the same features.

    Habitat

    • The preferred habitat of the wild bird includes grassy woodland with dead trees near permanent bodies of water. Closer to the coastline, it has been known to live on heaths with exotic grasses, especially near roadsides and orchards.

    Relation to One Another

    • Although the male turquoise parrot can be territorial and aggressive, the females generally form bonds and live well with one another, unless a male is present. Strangely enough, however, the turquoise parrot generally lives in colonies in the wild and has been successfully colony bred. For aviary owners, however, like many birds, it is best to keep a single pair per flight, especially for breeding purposes.

    Relation to Humans

    • The turquoise parrot is a desirable creature for many reasons. Though many people know the bird only as a pet, there was a time when the bird was hunted for food, specifically as a pie filling. By 1915, the bird was considered extinct in the wild. By the 1920s, however, the population had started recovering and is now at the status of "vulnerable" in New South Wales. Though still very common as a cage bird, the population in the wild is maintaining steady numbers for now.