SCIENTIFIC NAME: Psephotus haematonotus

From South-western Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, south-eastern South Australia. Common, has learned to exploit civilization. Red-rumped Parakeets frequently nest in the roof constructions of farmhouses and feed in the yard along with the domestic hens. Very often encountered by the roadside. Feeds and flies in association with Eastern Rosellas. Even in the wild the two species may interbreed. Since these parakeets do not do any damage to wheat fields and are therefore popular with the farmers as well, people hang up nest boxes for them. The parakeets feed on grass seeds, the seeds of millet, various flaxes, weeds, poppies, and chickweed. Charcoal and grains of sand are ingested routinely. Outside the breeding season the animals gather in large flocks which split up into small groups at night, going off to roost in the trees. Breeding season from August (early spring) to December, sometimes already in May (depending on rainfall).