Northiella haematogaster

Cladus: Eukaryota
Supergroup: Opisthokonta
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Classis: Aves
Subclassis: Carinatae
Infraclassis: Neornithes
Parvclassis: Neognathae
Ordo: Psittaciformes
Familia: Psittacidae
Subfamilia: Psittacinae
Tribus: Platycercini
Genus: Northiella
Species: Northiella haematogaster

Name

Northiella haematogaster (Gould, 1838)

References

* PZS["1837"] Pt5 no.57 p.89

Vernacular names
English: Blue Bonnet

The Blue Bonnet (Northiella haematogaster) is an Australian parrot, the only member of the genus Northiella. Its habitat includes open woodland, scrub, riverine forest, spinifex, and farmlands in the eastern half of the continent, with a smaller race being found in the Western Australian Nullarbor region.

This species grows up to 27-35cm in length and the sexes are similar in appearance. The are usually seen in pairs or small groups feeding along roads. They breed between July and December producing 4 to 7 white eggs.

It is a moderately common species in the wild though not so in captivity due to its duller colouring and pugnacious behaviour.

The genus name commemorates the Australian ornithologist Alfred John North.

References

* BirdLife International (2009). Northiella haematogaster. In: IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 14 April 2010. http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/