Nesting sites of the hooded parrot psephotus dissimilis in the northern territory

Abstract

Hooded Parrots Psephotus dissimilis occur in central northern Australia. They excavate nests in termitaria: mean nest densities ranged from 0.45 to 0.70 per km2. Clutches were initiated from late January to mid-April. Cavity temperatures varied less with respect to external tem­peratures in large termitaria than small. Sites differed in volumes of termitaria, and in the direction and height of cavity entrances. Average clutch size was 4.3 and egg di­mensions (20.8 x 18.3 mm) did not vary across sites. There was no difference in nesting success between sites; of the eggs laid, about 50% produced fledglings. © 1994 Royal Australasian Ornithologists Union.