This morning (12/08/03) 10.15-10.30 AM in heath land just south of
Maroubra Beach, Sydney, NSW, a green parrot flew up from the track
and posed itself 15 m away in a dry bush, 1/2 m above ground. I am
95 % sure it was a orange-bellied parrot. We looked at it with good
binoculars and a 30* scope. It was bright (but not shiny) green on
the back, head green, slightly paler, towards yellow around the eye,
with a brighter bluegreen spot (?- I did not notice it to be
continuous) above/in front of the eye (not very obvious, or as
obvious as on illustrations in bird guides. Belly yellow with a big
orange spot near the legs. Base of primaries bright blue, only
visable when the wing was not completely closed. Shoulder
wingcoverts bright green blue. Upper tail green with conspicupous
yellow margins, dark central band from underneath. A Nephema parrot
no doubt and the very green colour and non-wide blue wing band
suggests orange bellied rather than blue winged parrot. Al other
feature like colour of legs and beak fit OK.
The bird was silent unfortunately.
The bird was banded on the right leg with a bright sapphire/metallic
blue band ( approx.3 mm wide).
It was relatively tame ( or a bit confused) but eventually flew away,
when a fisherman passed on the track, a shortish distance, and landed
out of sight in the dense heath. We left it in peace after that. I
can provide more detailed location to a serious birder for further
confirmation, but prefer to keep the crowds away from this rarity (
how many left: couple of hundred ?).
Bas Hensen Home tel (02) 96622302
--
Bas Hensen
Geology (BEES)
University of New South Wales
Sydney NSW 2052 Australia
Tel (61 2) 93858701
Home(61 2) 96622302
FAX (61 2) 9385
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