Hello all
Have just returned to base last night after more than 5 weeks away camping in the bush of Central Australia. It was with some disappointment to find that nearly all recent discussion about the Princess Parrot irruption had been changed to a topic about entry permits into Aboriginal land. I wish to emphasize that prior permission to enter Aboriginal land is essential. Our personal permissions to access these areas were given personally by traditional landowners, elders from Jamieson/Kintore communities. The story about how this came about is a fascinating one and I hope to post an account of this as soon as I have time to prepare it.
Regarding the occurrence of Princess Parrots, as said previously there are many hundreds, probably thousands spread throughout more than 160 km. of a geographic area that probably could be described as the tall desert oak woodlands of the eastern Gibson Desert dune fields. From our most recent observations, birds appear to be breaking away from flocks, spreading out across many areas and forming pairs and smaller groups. They are obviously breeding at some locations as some birds have ruffled stained ruffled belly feathers and their long tails are clearly bent from sitting in hollows.
It would seem very likely that some Princess Parrots will turn up in public access areas. The habitat also appears ideal around Kings Canyon less than 50 km from where we had observed good numbers north of Mereenie oil fields. At present there is also excellent habitat along several kilometers of the Lasseter Hwy travelling west starting from about 6 km. west of Curtin Springs.
Ideal habitat is Desert Oak with some dead stags adjacent to sand dunes, some large scattered spotted/bloodwood eucalypts and stands of orange flowering gravellier are usually found in the dune swales nearby. Abundant seeding spinifex and other grasses are on the dunes. Most importantly appears to be a common stunted needle leafed plant (stunted Hakea?) with dense clusters of red tubular flowers growing from the base. This plant is common and in its early stage of flowering, seems to be part of a critical habitat association with Princess Parrots. The birds appear to be drawing moisture from its succulent flower bases. If anyone can suggest the correct species identification for this plant, I have just posted some pictures on Flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/oo000oo/sets/72157624733435776/
Regards and good birding
Ian May
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To add to this thread: I’ve only seen Princess Parrots once, a pair in October 1995 on a work field trip, collecting plants. The birds seen were in Marble Gum (Eucalyptus gongylocarpa) woodland in sand dune country, c. 60 km northeast of Queen Victoria Spring in the Great Victoria Desert, WA. One species that was in heavy flower at the time was Leptosema chambersii, although I didn’t see any parrots near them. Another plant that also has reddish flowers at ground level, Grevillea secunda, was also common in more open areas, co-occurring with the Leptosema. These are both presumably bird pollinated, although I would have imagined that honeyeaters would have a greater association with them, but maybe that’s an incorrect assumption. Richard.
If anyone can suggest the correct species identification for this plant, I have just posted some pictures on Flickr.
G’day Ian,
Could you please be a bit more specific? Are they acquiring the moisture from nectar, consumption of the succulent flowers, water that has condensed on the flowers overnight, or a combination of some or all of these things? Many Australian desert birds survive in areas where there is limited drinking water by consuming droplets of water that have condensed on vegetation overnight. I’m interested to know if Princess Parrots also do this.
If there is currently no shortage of free-standing water to drink from then it is possible that the parrots are consuming nectar or flowers principally for their dietary carbohydrate and protein requirements.
Regards, Stephen
Stephen Ambrose Ryde NSW
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G’day Ian,
Following your progress across the centre with great interest. The plant with the red flowers you have photographed is Leptosema chambersi.
Cheers Jeff.
Your plant is Leptosema chambersii or Upside-down Plant (Anne Urban , Wildflowers and Plants of Central Australia,1990 – p. 89). Book says it produces prolific nectar and is an aboriginal food-plant. When we were in the Centre many years ago, we were very impressed by it. Presumably the Princess parrots are taking the nectar. No mention of the seeds – wonder if the parrots will like them when available?
Anthea Fleming
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