I sighted a sole parrot in Bunyaville Conservation Park, north of Brisbane, and am at a loss what it might have been.
Its back and wings were a pale grey similar to a Galah. As far as I can remember its underside was the same grey. Its face however was pale yellow. In appearance and size it looked like a Galah, but may have been slightly smaller. I didn't discern a crest.
The bird definitely was not a Cockatiel, for there was no orange ear spot, and no white on the shoulder, and it had the short tail of a Galah.
I observed it in the upper branches of gum trees for a few minutes through binoculars.
Thanks for any clues.
I can't think of anything other than a cockatiel that fits this description well.
The only things that vaguely fit this description to me are Glossy Black Cockatoos or Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos.
Glossies are more of a faded black and could look grey (if you squint)
, with partly yellow heads.
YTBCs don't really fit the description well at all except for a patch of yellow on the head.
.
The other thing I found in a brief internet search was Galah/Corella hybrids which I was totally unaware of.
The examples I saw have the grey body of a galah, with a corella's head colouring.
(see http://www.pbase.com/ian_c/image/114816982)
.
The other possibility is an aviary escapee like an African Grey Parrot, but I don't know much about non-native birds.
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
My first thought was female Gang Gang. They fit the shape and grey colour, and if they were sitting up a tree, and sunshine on their faces.....? What do you think?
M-L
(I know I'm not the OP, but I am in Brissie)
Good point, though I've not seen Gang-Gangs here in Brissie at all myself and I don't think they are generally seen this far north.
Could be a vagrant or an escapee though...
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
Think about some reflection from the sun in her face....?
M-L
Brisbane is well outside the gang gang cockatoo's range.
Any gang gang escapee near Brisbane is further evidence against the keeping of caged birds.
I'm certain I didn't see a Gang Gang. I think Timmo is onto something regarding a hybrid Galah. I found an image of a Galah/Citron hybrid (http://webzoom.freewebs.com/windsongaviary/other%20parrots/galah-citron2.jpeg) that is remarkably close to what I saw, except my bird didn't have a prominent crest. Although there is a flock of Corellas in the area, I'm now thinking the bird was a Galah/Cockatoo hybrid. Bizarre stuff.
Thanks for the feedback.
There is/was a hybrid galah/corella in Featherdale Wildlife Park in Sydney.
Pam
I have just spotted a pair of these birds, identical to your description on the Sunshine Coast in the woodland beside a creek. I've tried to look up what they could be, but no matches on the net or in books.
Ubies and Jane3 - did you have a phone with you? did your phone have a camera? if yes then I always suggest that any sort of pic is better then no pic
Peter
That would be galah citron like my nomattie