About the species
Only the male has the scarlet chest
The Scarlet-chested Parrot (Neophema splendida) is one of the few grass parrots whose sexes look clearly different: the male has a cobalt-blue face, scarlet chest, yellow underparts and bright green upperparts, while the female has a smaller blue patch on the face, a green breast and yellow underparts. Males start growing red chest feathers at about 2–3 months of age and reach full colour only at 15–18 months. Within the genus Neophema, only this species and the Turquoise Parrot are markedly dimorphic.
Size and naming history
An adult is 19–21 cm long and weighs 36–44 g, which puts it among the small parrots. John Gould described it in 1841 as Euphema splendida, and Tommaso Salvadori moved it to the genus Neophema in 1891. Of all the species, it is closest to the Turquoise Parrot.
How to tell it from the Turquoise Parrot
The Turquoise Parrot (Neophema pulchella) is 20–22 cm long, weighs around 40 g and lives in eastern Australia, from south-eastern Queensland to north-eastern Victoria. The Scarlet-chested Parrot lives in the west and centre of the continent, from Western Australia through South Australia to the south of the Northern Territory and the far west of New South Wales. The Turquoise male has red shoulders, not a red chest. For females, look at the face and wings: a female Scarlet-chested Parrot has blue in front of the eyes and a paler blue wing patch.
Life in the dry interior
In the wild it inhabits dry eucalypt and acacia scrub and grassland with plants of the genera Atriplex and Triodia (spinifex). It feeds mainly on grass seeds and gets water from succulent plants such as Calandrinia. In the breeding season, from August to October or after rain, the female lays four to six round white eggs in a hollow of a small tree. Outside breeding, the birds gather in larger flocks and forage on the ground.
Not a tame household parrot
Grass parrots are quiet and inoffensive, but they are not considered companion birds; specialist sources describe them as aviary and breeding birds. The Scarlet-chested Parrot is also shyer than a typical cage parrot, so do not expect it to sit on your shoulder. That is why we recommend an experienced keeper who enjoys watching the bird rather than handling it.
Aviary, cold and ground
The bird needs room to fly: breeder guides recommend two metres of uninterrupted flight. It adapts to different types of housing, from a cage to an aviary, but it is described as "softer" than other Neophema and must be protected from cold, damp and wind. Because it spends much time on the ground, the aviary floor must be clean and dry, and regular protection against internal parasites (worms) is recommended; ask a vet about it.
Company in the aviary
It is extremely placid and can share an aviary with other small calm parrots, finches and quail. Do not house it with other species of the genus Neophema, because they can hybridise. It is as calm as Bourke's Parrot, but that species is crepuscular, whereas the Scarlet-chested Parrot forages during the day.
Diet
The base is a good seed mix for small parrots (the source also names peach-faced lovebird mix), supplemented with greens (kale, bok choy, endive), corn, apple, pear and carrot. You can add soaked or sprouted seeds, seeding grasses and spray millet. Avocado, chocolate, caffeine and alcohol are toxic to birds.
Breeding, lifespan and status
Breeders recommend starting from 12 months of age, with the best results at two years and older. The hen lays 3–6 eggs, incubation takes about 18 days and the chicks leave the nest after four weeks. Sources disagree on lifespan: the World Parrot Trust gives about 10 years, while Australian breeders give more than 15. The IUCN lists the species as Least Concern, but it is regarded as Vulnerable in New South Wales.
Temperament
quiet, placid, shy, unobtrusive, peaceful
Suitable for
experienced keepers with an indoor or outdoor aviary
Living environment
aviary with up to 2 m of clear flight, sheltered from frost and damp
Pros & cons
Advantages of the species
very quiet, peaceful with other calm birds, strikingly colourful male
Things to consider
sensitive to cold, damp and wind, not a tame household bird, needs a long flight space
Notes
Do not house it with other species of the genus Neophema, because they can hybridise. The species is softer than its relatives and needs shelter from cold, damp and wind. It is not a tame household bird; sources disagree on lifespan, from about 10 to more than 15 years.
