Species Northiella narethae (H.L. White, 1921)

Museums

Regional Maps

• Psephotus narethae White, H.L. 1921. The Naretha Parrot (Psephotus narethae) sp. nov. The Emu 21: 81-82 pl. 12 [81] [adult male and female syntypes illustrated on pl. 12 in original description].

  Type data:

   
  Syntype(s) NMV ♂ adult (H.L. White coll. no. 313), Naretha, WA; NMV ♀ adult (H.L. White coll. no. 317), Naretha, WA; NMV ♂ imm. (H.L. White coll. no. 8545), Naretha, WA.

 

Miscellaneous Literature Names

• Northiella haematogaster narethae (H.L. White, 1921). —
  Dolman, G. & Joseph, L. 2015. Evolutionary history of birds across southern Australia: structure, history and taxonomic implications of mitochondrial DNA diversity in an ecologically diverse suite of species. Emu 115: 35–48 (restored to full species status)

 

Introduction

Upon finding no evidence of gene flow between Northiella haematogaster narethae and other populations of Northiella haematogaster, Dolman & Joseph (2015) recommended recognition of two species, Northiella narethae and Northiella haematogaster.

 

Distribution

States

South Australia, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

Western fringes of Nullarbor Plain between Zanthus and Loongana, north and north-east almost to Neale Junction and the northern fringes of the Plain north of Deakin-Cook, and south and south-east to Eucla, just crossing the WA border into SA—records from Ceduna, SA, are probably of released captive birds.

IBRA and IMCRA regions

IBRA

SA, WA: Eyre Yorke Block (EYB), Hampton (HAM), Nullarbor (NUL)

Ecological Descriptors

Arboreal, diurnal, folivore, granivore, gregarious, low open woodland, low woodland, sedentary, terrestrial, volant.

Extra Ecological Information

Seasonal breeder, (sexually dimorphic), in belts of myall (Acacia sowdenii) mixed with mallee and belah (Casuarina), feeds mainly on seeds on ground and low shrubs, flies almost directly with rapid wing beats punctuated by gliding on in-drawn wings, nests on bed of wood dust/debris in tree hollows, incubation by female, both sexes rear pale grey-downed, yellowish-billed chicks, sedentary or wanders locally to seasonal food sources.

 

General References

Brooker, M., Ridpath, M.G., Estbergs, A.J., Bywater, J., Hart, D.S. & Jones, M.S. 1979. Bird observations on the northwestern Nullabor Plain and neighbouring regions, 1967–1978. The Emu 79: 176-190 (distribution, habitat, status, diet)

Calaby, J.H. 1958. Recent observations on the Naretha Parrot. Western Australian Naturalist 6: 153-154 [Mathews, G.M. 1927. Systema Avium Australasianarum. A systematic list of the birds of the Australasian region. London : British Ornithologists' Union Pt 1 iv 426 pp. (cf. Mathews, G.M. 1925. The Birds of Australia. Supplements 4 & 5. Bibliography of the Birds of Australia Pts 1 & 2. London : H.F. & G. Witherby viii 149 pp.)] (distribution, habitat)

Dolman, G. & Joseph, L. 2015. Evolutionary history of birds across southern Australia: structure, history and taxonomic implications of mitochondrial DNA diversity in an ecologically diverse suite of species. Emu 115: 35–48 [43]

Ford, J. 1969. Distribution and taxonomic notes on some parrots from Western Australia. South Australian Ornithologist 25: 99-105 (distribution, habitat)

Henderson, R. 1972. First record of the Naretha Parrot in South Australia. The Emu 72: 114 (occurrence)

 

History of changes

Published	As part of group	Action Date	Action Type	Compiler(s)
29-Apr-2015	Platycercini	27-Apr-2015	MODIFIED
10-Nov-2020		01-Mar-2012	MODIFIED
10-Nov-2020		28-Feb-2012	MODIFIED
		12-Feb-2010	(import)