Thanks Philip, I appreciated the confirmation
of my diagnosis.
Sue
From: Philip Veerman
[
Sent: Sunday, 6 June 2010 1:30 PM
To: 'Sue Beatty'; 'canberra birds'
Subject: Superb parrots ?- or ?
Belconnen Golf Course
Sorry, on second reading, I see that you
mentioned checking a book........I missed that. I decided on an answer to
you before I got to the last bit of your message..........
-----Original Message-----
From: Philip Veerman
[
Sent: Sunday, 6 June 2010 1:13 PM
To: 'Sue Beatty'
Cc:
Subject: [canberrabirds] Superb
parrots ?- or ? Belconnen Golf Course
As much as anyone not there, could say,
the birds you describe must be Red-rumped
Parrots. And you have gone through the ID process
well. (I hope you also checked a book). That does not support or deny the
previous observation of other birds by Jean.
-----Original Message-----
From: Sue Beatty
[
Sent: Saturday, 5 June 2010 2:22
PM
To: 'Philip Veerman'
Subject: RE: [canberrabirds]
Superb parrots ?- or ? Belconnen Golf Course
I was hoping someone authoritative would
say that they had to be Red-rumped Parrots. A couple of days ago I was
attracted by an unusual call just like the one described, and found about 10
parrots high in a tall eucalypt in my GBS area in Holder. They were greenish
all over, with greenish blue sheen around the head. Not having the field guide
at the time, I examined all of them through the bins, looking for the pretty
scalloped pink tail I’ve seen on the Superbs. None of them had one. Also
I noticed that some were a much brighter greenish blue than others, which were
more olive coloured. Size was less obvious as they were so high up, but all the
same I thought they had to be Red-rumped Parrots, except I’m used to
seeing them in small groups on the ground, not at the top of a tall tree. I
examined all of them (from below) trying to see red rumps, and when one
obligingly displayed one for me, I went in and confidently marked them off on
my GBS, only my second sighting here all year. If there’s any doubt about
this, please let me know. I’m not familiar with the Red-rumped Parrot
call, but as described by Pizzey, and in the email below, it fits.
Sue Beatty
