Naretha bluebonnet

The Naretha bluebonnet, scientifically known as Northiella narethae and sometimes called the Naretha parrot, is a bird species found in a remote and arid region of Australia. It is one of two species belonging to the genus Northiella. The species was first recorded in 1921 in Central Australia.

History and Classification

Henry Luke White first described the Naretha bluebonnet in 1921 as Psephotus narethae. Its discovery is linked to field worker F. Lawson Whitlock, who encountered a railway official with a pet parrot caught near Naretha, a bird that did not match any known species. White later obtained skins from this bird, leading to its formal description. Initially, the Naretha bluebonnet was placed within the Psephotus genus due to its perceived similarities, but significant physical and behavioral differences were noted. Notably, unlike the obvious sexual dimorphism in Psephotus, the Naretha bluebonnet exhibits similar coloration between males and females. The species also possesses distinct physical traits, such as pointed or spatulate tips on its first five primary flight feathers, and unique call notes. Later, it was classified as a subspecies (N. h. narethæ) of the eastern bluebonnet, Northiella haematogaster. However, a 2015 molecular study by Gaynor Dolman and Leo Joseph confirmed its genetic isolation from the eastern bluebonnet, leading to a recommendation for its reinstatement as a separate species.

Description

The Naretha bluebonnet is smaller than the eastern bluebonnet, measuring around 28 cm (11 in) in length for adult males and approximately 26 cm (10 in) for adult females. They have dark grey legs and feet, and dark brown irises. Adult males display a two-toned facial pattern with a lighter green-blue forehead contrasting with a purplish-blue rest of the face. Their head, foreneck, and breast are light grey-brown with pale streaks and diffuse spots, while the back is olive-grey. The belly, vent, and thighs are a uniform yellow, with red coloration restricted to the undertail-coverts. The lesser wing coverts are blue, outer median wing coverts are red, and inner median and greater wing coverts, along with inner secondaries, are yellow-olive. The central tail feathers have a pale blue tinge. Adult females have a duller blue forehead, reduced coloration on the wings and tail, and lack any orange tint on the belly.

Distribution and Habitat

The Naretha bluebonnet was once common in the arid Nullarbor region but became rarer throughout the 20th century. Its localized range suggests a high degree of endemism to an area on the border of Western and South Australia. These birds are typically found in Myall woodlands, which are characterized by a dominance of acacia species. Their homelands cover a large and isolated territory. They are often more easily observed in areas where water sources have become a focal point, such as stock water troughs.

Breeding

Breeding for the Naretha bluebonnet commences early, with the laying of their first eggs by mid-July. They typically nest in hollows within she-oak (Casuarinaceae) trees. The chosen nesting sites in the wild often feature a small knot hole entrance. However, observations have also noted females emerging from tree crevices and splits, suggesting a potential adaptation to the scarcity of suitable nesting hollows in their environment. The eggs are oval and matte white.