Eastern Bluebonnet
A species of Bluebonnet Parrots, Also known as Blue Bonnet Scientific name : Northiella haematogaster Genus : Bluebonnet Parrots
Eastern Bluebonnet, A species of Bluebonnet Parrots
Also known as:
Blue Bonnet
Botanical name: Northiella haematogaster
Genus: Bluebonnet Parrots
Content
Description General Info
Photo By Don Roberson 
Description
The eastern bluebonnet is a medium-sized parrot with prominent crest-like head feathers. All bluebonnets have a mostly olive-grey to brown upperbody, foreneck and breast, with the outerwing and leading edge to the folded wing being dark blue, a blue forehead and face. The bill is pearl grey, the cere is light grey, iris colour is brown-grey, and the feet and legs are dark grey. There is no seasonal variation in the plumage and there are no similar looking species to the bluebonnet parrot. Body length – Male – 28–35 cm, Female – 26–32 cm Wingspan – Male – 36–42 cm, Female 34–38 cm Weight – 70-100g Each subspecies displays significant geographical variation in plumage and size. Most differ by the amount of red on the underbody and the pattern of the inner upperwing which varies from olive-yellow with a blue carpal patch and little or no red to mostly red with a blue-green carpal patch. Subspecies descriptions – differences from nominate species N. h. haematorrhous – the red of underbody covers the entire undertail and coverts area. On the folded wing the shoulder patch is mostly red and the leading edge is a much lighter blue-green around the carpal joint. N. h. haematogaster – the lower underparts are yellow with a variable amount of red on the abdomen with a yellowish-olive wing patch. N. h. pallescens – paler, showing much less contrast between the breast and pale yellow of the underbelly. Adult Female – the sexes differ slightly with the females being slightly duller with less red on the belly than males. Females often also have a narrow off-white band across the underside of the inner primaries but this is not always present. Juvenile – similar to the adult female but slightly duller and usually have less red on the belly. The most distinctive feature of juvenile's is the brownish-orange colour of the bill which will become the pearl-grey adult colour within two months of fledging. Juvenile's will attain adult plumage when they moult at about three to four months of age. Call – harsh 'chack chack', flute like 'cloote' and a loud 'yak-yak-yak'. 
Size
28 cm
Nest Placement
Cavity
Feeding Habits
Eastern Bluebonnet primarily forages on the ground for grass seeds, fruits, berries, nectar, and insects, especially at dawn and dusk. They exhibit caution near water sources.
Habitat
The eastern Bluebonnet is found in arid and semi-arid regions, favoring open woodlands characterized by vegetation such as false sandalwood (Myoporum), belah (Casuarina cristata), native pine (Callitris), various Acacia species including mulga and gidgee, as well as Eucalyptus. These habitats often feature a shrub layer comprising chenopods like saltbush (Atriplex) and blue bush (Maireana). Eastern Bluebonnet may also be found in open grassy plains, arid scrub, and alongside watercourses. In the southern parts of their range, remnant mallee woodlands play a crucial role as habitat within cleared agricultural areas.
Dite type
Granivorous
General Info
Feeding Habits
Bird food type
Behavior
Bluebonnets are usually found in pairs or small groups of under ten birds. Pairs separate to breed in late winter before rejoining the flock in late spring with their young. When flushed bluebonnets will quickly leave the ground whistling their call notes while on the wing. They will fly to a nearby tree where they will fall silent and adopt an erect posture to inspect the intruder awaiting the opportunity to return to the ground. Bluebonnets fly with an undulating, sometimes jerky gait generally below tree-top levels.
Distribution Area
Bluebonnets are found in the interior of southeastern and central-southern Australia. The range extends from northern Victoria to southern Queensland in the east across to southeastern Western Australia in the west. Subspecies are found in distinct areas of the distribution of the bluebonnet as follows: N. h. haematorrhous – south Queensland to northern New South Wales. N. h. haematogaster – west and south New South Wales and northwest Victoria to southeast South Australia. N. h. pallescens – inland South Australia, the Lake Eyre Basin.
Photo By Don Roberson 
Scientific Classification
Phylum
Chordates Class
Birds Order
Parrots Family
Parrots Genus
Bluebonnet Parrots Species
Eastern Bluebonnet 
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