Nesting Sites of the Hooded Parrot Psephotus dissimilis in the Northern Territory

Abstract

Hooded Parrots Psephotus dissimilis occur in central northern Australia. They excavate nests in termitaria: mean nest densities ranged from 0.45 to 0.70 per km². Clutches were initiated from late January to mid-April. Cavity temperatures varied less with respect to external temperatures in large termitaria than small. Sites differed in volumes of termitaria, and in the direction and height of cavity entrances. Average clutch size was 4.3 and egg dimensions (20.8 × 18.3 mm) did not vary across sites. There was no difference in nesting success between sites; of the eggs laid, about 50% produced fledglings.