The Orange-bellied Parrot Year: May

Arriving on the mainland

OBP at Western Treatment Plant, 2024

On the mainland, OBPs are found from south eastern Victoria to south eastern South Australia in coastal saltmarshes and wetlands, coastal dune scrub, beach fronts and nearby weedy pastures, tracks and cropping areas.

Winter food sources include Austral Seablite, Beaded Glasswort and introduced weeds such as Wireweed, Fat Hen and Plantain.

On the mainland, OBPs are difficult to find because of their low numbers, small size, green plumage and large area of potential habitat. OBPs sometimes forage and fly with similar-looking parrots such as Blue-winged Parrots.

In May, 2021, two OBPs - including one juvenile - were sighted and identified at the Coorong in South Australia. This was the first sighting of an OBP in SA since 2013.

Volunteers play a key role finding OBPs during winter. 

To prepare for mainland winter surveys, volunteers learn to identify OBPs by their appearance, habits and calls. 

They also learn how to differentiate them from other Neophema parrots like the Blue-winged, Elegant and Rock Parrots.

This knowledge is often gained through research, speaking with experienced volunteers or by attending workshops.

In 2021, a sighting of OBPs in South Australia occurred during a parrot identification workshop at the Coorong.

Imagine how excited and surprised the workshop participants were to see OBPs when it had been eight years since the last confirmed sighting in SA!