Psephotellus varius (A.H.Clark, 1910)

Size

The mulga parrot (Psephotellus varius) measures 27–32 cm (10.5–12.5 in) in length, has a 30–42 cm (12–16.5 in) wingspan, and weighs 50–60 g (1.8–2.1 oz). It is a medium-sized parrot with a slim build and a long tail.

Sexual Dimorphism

This species is sexually dimorphic, meaning males and females differ noticeably in plumage. The male is multicolored, which gives the species its alternate common name, many-coloured parrot.

Male Plumage Head and Torso

It is bright green overall, with a bluish tinge on the neck and above the eye, and a paler breast. Its rump is light green, the forehead is yellow, and there is a red patch on the back of the head.

Male Plumage Lower Body

The lower belly and thighs are yellowish, marked with orange-red.

Male Wing Plumage

The wings are greenish, aside from yellow median wing coverts and blue outer webs of primaries.

Male Tail Plumage

Its long tail has a mix of colors: the two long central feathers are dark blue tinged with green, the outer feathers are blue that shades to white, and there is some red on the upper tail coverts.

Male Soft Parts

The male's bill is blue-grey edged with black, and its iris is brown.

Female Plumage

The female is duller overall, with an olive-brown head and chest, a duller yellow forehead and duller red patch on the back of the head, a pale green belly, and a more brown-grey bill. It sometimes also has a red shoulder.

General Distribution

This species is found across the drier interior of the Australian continent.

Detailed Range

Its range extends from western New South Wales, starting west of Collarenebri, West Wyalong, and Griffith, through the northwestern tip of Victoria, across South Australia, and into the drier central regions of Western Australia, reaching west to the Wheatbelt and north to the Pilbara.

Habitat

Mulga parrots are generally encountered in pairs in arid grassland and mulga scrubland.