First described by Gould 1838 the redrumped parrot is native to South Eastern Australia. They were first bred in captivity by London zoo in 1857.They mainly forage on the ground in small groups. They tend to roost communally. In the wild they breed from August to January in nests in holes or hollow branches of eucalyptus trees. They like to be close to water.
Length: 270mm. Weight: Cock approx 70g, Hens approx 60g.
The normal redrump cock has a bright green head , neck and breast which has a blue tint. The lower back is crimson and the abdomen is yellow which fades to white with some green under the tail. The wings are blue green in colour with yellow shoulder patches. The outer webs of the flight feathers are blue and the tail is green tinted with blue. The normal redrump hen is drab in comparison to the male. It is mainly olive green with dull yellow on the neck and breast. The shoulders bear a few blue feathers. The under the tail is white with a tinge of very pale blue. The red patch is absent.
Seeds including mixed millets, mixed canary, sunflower, groats and grass seed. Greens such as lettuce, sprouting seeds, chickweed. Fruit including apples.
Redrumped Parakeets breed well in captivity. For successful breeding each pair should be segregated. A large nest box is necessary - at least 35x25x15cm with a hole 6-7cm across. The hen generally lays between 5 - 7 eggs which are incubated from when the second egg is laid. Incubation of the eggs is 19-20 days. As soon as the young are able to feeding themselves it is advisable to remove them from their parents and house them separately. The cock is likely to attack the young if they are left with the parents too long. Birds are ready to breed from one year old onwards.
There are several mutations of redrumped parakeets. Many of the mutations can only be found in Australia and are not found elsewhere. The commonest mutations include Lutino, yellow and olive pied. All these mutations are found worldwide. Mutations such as blue, platinum, cinnamon and opaline are common in Australia but rarely found worldwide. The European blue is found both in Europe and USA but is rare in Australia. Rare mutations such as red suffusion, some of the fallows and grey are currently being developed in Australia.