Justification This species has an extremely large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.

Family/Sub-family Psittacidae

Species name author Lear, 1831

Taxonomic source(s) Christidis and Boles (1994), Sibley and Monroe (1990, 1993)

Population estimate

Population trend

Range estimate (breeding/resident)

Country endemic?

unknown

unset

1,210,000 km²

Yes

Range & population This species is endemic to northern Australia, where it is found from Kimberley division, Western Australia, east to north-east Queensland. It is common around Mt Isa and still appears to be widespread and abundant over huge areas of the Top End of the Northern Territory (D. Franklin in litt. 2003).

Important Bird Areas Click here to view map showing IBAs where species is recorded and triggers any of the IBA criteria.

Ecology: The species is found in wooded areas, being especially attracted to paperbarks Melaleuca and eucalypts bordering streams and waterholes. It feeds on pollen and nectar from the flowers of Eucalyptus, Melaleuca and other tree species, and is nomadic in response to the availability of blossom, which may be responsible for its disappearance from some areas for long periods of time. Breeding chiefly occurs in April-August, but has been recorded all year round. It nests in tree holes, and has a clutch size of 2-5 eggs (del Hoyo et al. 1997).

Conservation measures underway The species is listed under CITES Appendix II.

References del Hoyo et al. 1997

Text account compilers Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International), Jonathan Ekstrom (BirdLife International), Sally Fisher (BirdLife International), Matt Harding (BirdLife International)

IUCN Red List evaluators Jeremy Bird (BirdLife International), Stuart Butchart (BirdLife International)

Recommended citation BirdLife International (2009) Species factsheet: Psitteuteles versicolor. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 10/2/2010

This information is based upon, and updates, the information published in BirdLife International (2000) Threatened birds of the world. Barcelona and Cambridge, UK: Lynx Edicions and BirdLife International, BirdLife International (2004) Threatened birds of the world 2004 CD-ROM and BirdLife International (2008) Threatened birds of the world 2008 CD-ROM. These sources provide the information for species accounts for the birds on the IUCN Red List.

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