Orange-bellied Parrot adult

Orange-bellied Parrot adult

The reason that most bird watchers go to Melaleuca is to see the Orange-belied Parrots, one of the world’s rarest species. The birds breed in Tasmania and migrate to the south coast of Australia. Only 22 birds returned on migration this year and these have been supplemented by a similar number from a captive breeding programme. The bird in the photo was sitting close to an artificial nest box.

Country: Australia
Location: Melaleuca, TAS
Family: Parrots (Psittacidae)
Species: Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster)
Date taken: 29/11/2013