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Blue Bonnet (Northiella haematogaster) Alternate name(s): "Greater Blue Bonnet", "Crimson-bellied Parrot", "Yellow-vented Parakeet", "Bulloak Parrot", "Red-bellied Blue Bonnet", "Naretha Parrot", "Red-vented Blue Bonnet" Aboriginal name(s): Race "haematorrhous": "bulaybulay" [yuwaalaraay] Size: 26-35 cm; wing span: 34-42 cm Body mass: 70-100 g Wing loading [g/cm2]: 0.25-0.32

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Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Blue Bonnets are small to medium-sized parrots. There are races that have slightly different plumages. The features common to all races are dark-blue cheek patches with white lining, a brownish-grey chest and back (from the cap to the rump) and a greyish-brown uppertail with blue and white lining and a whitish undertail. Race "narethae" has a green frons, all others have a blue frons. Race "narethae" has a yellow belly and red vent, race "haemathorrhoa" has some yellow too, but more red on the lower part of the belly and race "haematogaster" has a pale-yellow belly with a red patch in it and an amber vent/undertail coverts. The wings of the various races have different shades of ochre, red and orange in them, with some having small turquoise shoulder patches, but all have a deep-blue leading eadge and brownish-grey coverts. Females of race "haemathorrhoa" show scalloping on the wing panels and belly, where males are solid-red. The bill of all races is light-grey, the irises are dark and the legs and feet are grey. Blue Bonnets, when seen from behind in rank or seeding grass, are almost invisible because of their superb camouflage.

Taxonomy, classification See Blue Bonnet at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Blue Bonnet parrot is available HERE . NB: Reports on ebird of birds submitted by birdwatchers from the Australian Outback tend to be clustered along roads and public areas such as camp grounds; in such cases their distribution is not a good representation of the overall distribution of the species. Blue Bonnets are endemic to Australia. They are well-adapted to life in the semi-arid interior of the Australian continent. All four races are found mostly inland, in the south-eastern quarter of the continent. Nominate race "haematogaster" is found in the south-eastern quarter of SA and the Murray River catchment, down to north-western VIC. Further North in NSW, in the Darling River catchment and into southern QLD, race "haematorrhoa" is found. They both connect with the range of race "pallescens", which is present only in the Lake Eyre Basin, in the border region of SA with QLD and NSW. Race "narethae" is found in two small patches in the Nullarbor, in South-East WA, just off the South coast, near the border with SA. Blue Bonnets are usually found around dry open woodland, often with grassy undergrowth, and in open grassland. Where to look? How to find this species? Blue Bonnets are very shy and therefore hard to approach. The way one can usually find them is when they are flushed while feeding in open grassland. They will then fly into nearby trees, where one can try to track them down. They tend not to go close to human habitation, but they can be found in farmland with scattered trees. It may be a reflection of their caution while drinking water that we have only once seen them at a water source - at an unintentional water spill at the peak of the worst drought ever recorded in inland NSW (2019-2020).

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "haematogaster" M. Eaton reports finding Blue Bonnets, race "haematogaster", at Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary, near Cunnamulla, QLD, in September 2017. R. Plumtree spotted Blue Bonnets, race "haematogaster", at Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary, near Cunnamulla, QLD, in September 2017. We found Blue Bonnets, race "haematogaster", at Lake Bindegolly NP, near Thargomindah, QLD, in June 2019. Race "haematorrhoa" Although Blue Bonnets, race "haematorrhoa", are seen in the Narrabri area quite regularly, their distribution is patchy and their numbers in the foothills of the Great Dividing Range are small. In some areas of Eulah Creek, 20 km East of Narrabri, NSW, Blue Bonnets, race "haematorrhoa", can be seen regularly. This location in the foothills of the Nandewar Range is near the eastern boundary of their range. Towards the plains of inland NSW, westward of Narrabri, but also in other areas of the North-west Plains (e.g. Bellata, Moree and Maules Creek, NSW) and around the fringes of the Pilliga scrub, Blue Bonnets, race "haematorrhoa", are common. H. Mouritsen reports spotting a pair at Narrabri Lake, NSW, in October 2015. Blue Bonnets, race "haematorrhoa", were seen by us in various locations in outback NSW in September 2012. M. Eaton reports finding Blue Bonnets, race "haematorrhoa", at Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary, near Cunnamulla, QLD, in September 2017.

Photos

Race "haematogaster"

This race is also called the "Yellow-vented Blue Bonnet".

ADULT

PAIR

Near-lateral/ventral view of a pair of Blue Bonnets
Many bird species exhibit sexual dimorphism, i.e., male and female have differing appearances which can be quite subtle.
Note the female Blue Bonnet's patchy-red belly, left, while the male's is solid-red.
[Lake Bindegolly NP, near Thargomindah, QLD, June 2019]

Lateral view of a pair of Blue Bonnets looking at the observer; female on the left, male on the right
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Lake Albacutya, VIC, October 2018]

Lateral view of a pair of Blue Bonnets perched on a fence; female on the left, male on the right
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Lake Albacutya, VIC, October 2018]

Lateral view of a pair of Blue Bonnets perched on a fence; female on the left, male on the right
(photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Lake Albacutya, VIC, October 2018]

MALE

Frontal view of a male Blue Bonnet looking sideways; the solid red on the belly characterises the bird as a male; the all-yellow vent is specific to race haematogaster (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kilcowera Station, between Thargomindah and Hungerford, QLD, June 2020]

Near-frontal and lateral view of two male Blue Bonnets perched in a dead tree (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary, near Cunnamulla, QLD, September 2017]

Near-dorsal view of a male Blue Bonnet (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary, near Cunnamulla, QLD, September 2017]

Sex unknown

Near-dorsal view of a Blue Bonnet (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kilcowera Station, between Thargomindah and Hungerford, QLD, June 2020]

Dorsal view of a Blue Bonnet (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kilcowera Station, between Thargomindah and Hungerford, QLD, June 2020]

Race "haematorrhoa"

This race is also called the "Red-vented Blue Bonnet".

ADULT

PAIR

Frontal view of a pair of Blue Bonnets; male on the left, female on the right (photo courtesy of R. Druce)

Close-up near-lateral/lateral view of a pair of Blue Bonnets; male on the left, female on the right
[Near Wee Waa, NSW, May 2023]

Near-lateral view of two pairs of Blue Bonnets enjoying the late afternoon sun in wintertime; males left and right, two females in between
[Near Bellata, NSW, June 2009]

Lateral view of a pair of Blue Bonnets in a White Cedar tree in wintertime; male on the left
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, June 2006]

Lateral view of a pair of Blue Bonnets hiding in a dense shrub
[Pilliga Wetlands Walk, NSW, November 2019]

Lateral view of a pair of Blue Bonnets feeding on introduced weeds (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Coolmunda, near Inglewood, QLD, October 2024]

Close-up dorsal view of a pair of Blue Bonnets looking over their shoulders to keep the observer in check
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2024]

Close-up dorsal view of a pair of Blue Bonnets looking over their shoulders to keep the observer in check
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2024]

Lateral view of a pair of Blue Bonnets in-flight
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2015]

MALE

Frontal/ventral view of two male Blue Bonnets, race "haematorrhoa", with a clear view of the richness of colours and patterns of the underparts - note the red vent
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, 2006]

Close-up lateral view of a male Blue Bonnet, race "haematorrhoa", feeding on the ground; note the dark-red shoulder
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2022]

Close-up lateral/ventral view of a male Blue Bonnet
[Near Wee Waa, NSW, February 2023]

Close-up near-dorsal view of a male Blue Bonnet looking back at the observer
[Near Narrabri, NSW, February 2024]

Lateral/ventral view of a male Blue Bonnet in flight
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2015]

FEMALE

Frontal view of a female Blue Bonnet - note the slightly scalloped belly patch
[Near Bellata, NSW, November 2015]

Lateral view of a female(?) Blue Bonnet on the ground (photo courtesy of C. Kellenberg)

Close-up lateral/ventral view of a female Blue Bonnet
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2025]

Sex unknown

Dorsal view of a Blue Bonnet
[Bourke, NSW, September 2012]

Dorsal view of 3 Blue Bonnets in flight (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2021]

Dorsal view of two Blue Bonnets on the point of landing in a tree
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2012]

Breeding information

Breeding season: Aug - Dec

Eggs: 4 - 6

Incubation period: 18 - 20 days

Fledging age: 28 - 35 days

Nest building: ?

Incubation: Female

Dependent care: Female & male

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Tree hollow

Material: ?

Height above ground: 2? - 6 m

Pair of Blue Bonnets near a tree hollow that they inspected for its suitability for nesting, male on the right
[Pilliga Wetlands Walk, NSW, May 2020]

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 23 x 19 mm

Colour: White

Shape: Rounded

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal

Mobility: Sedentary/dispersive

Elementary unit: Pair/small flock

NB: Although we have seen Blue Bonnets in numbers that suggest more than just family clans sticking together, breeders report to us that Blue Bonnets do not mix well at all with other species of parrots in aviaries.

View of a bonding ritual between a pair of Blue Bonnets: While incubating their eggs, and not leaving the nest hollow, the female will rely on the male to feed her - so beforehand she tests his reliability as a provider of food (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kilcowera Station, between Thargomindah and Hungerford, QLD, June 2020]

View of a bonding ritual between a pair of Blue Bonnets: While incubating their eggs, and not leaving the nest hollow, the female will rely on the male to feed her - so beforehand she tests his reliability as a provider of food (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kilcowera Station, between Thargomindah and Hungerford, QLD, June 2020]

Close-up lateral/ventral view of a pair of Blue Bonnets sharing some "TLC" - allo-preening is part of a bonding ritual
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2024]

Blue Bonnets are the shiest parrots in our area that we have spotted so far. Being exclusively ground-feeding, they are vulnerable to attacks by predators.

Female Blue Bonnet perched in a casuarina tree, surveying its surroundings before going down to feed on a paddock
(photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Maules Creek, NSW, April 2013]

Our observations in the Narrabri area suggest that Blue Bonnets live in small family units of up to about 10 birds; larger groups/flocks have been seen by us further inland.

Blue Bonnets on their roost (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Kilcowera Station, between Thargomindah and Hungerford, QLD, June 2020]

Blue Bonnets sitting in the shade, in an Acacia salicina (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Eulah Creek, NSW, March 2021]

Parrots are known to love a good bath, and Blue Bonnets are no exception - here a pair in the bathtub
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2024]

Parrots are known to love a good bath, and Blue Bonnets are no exception - here one of a pair in the bathtub
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2024]

Food, Diet

Adults: Seeds

Dependents: Regurgitated seeds

Water intake: Daily

Like many parrots, Blue Bonnets are seed-eaters; primarily they feed on grass seeds, but they will not shun bigger seeds either, when available (see below).

Close-up lateral view of a male Blue Bonnet feeding on the flowers of weeds
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2022]

Close-up dorsal view of a male Blue Bonnet stretching to reach a flower head
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2022]

Blue Bonnet feeding on seeds (photo courtesy of R. Plumtree)
[Goschen Bush Reserve, VIC, September 2019]

Blue Bonnets feasting on sunflower kernels by the side of a gravel road
[Near Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2011]

Family of Blue Bonnets making use of a submerged lawn for both food and water
[Burren Junction Bore Bath, NSW, January 2020]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

bluebon_20140226.mp3	haematorrhoa (NW NSW)	Warning calls	© MD
bluebon_20150528.mp3	haematorrhoa (NW NSW)	Warning/depart. (group of 4)	© MD
bluebon_20141119.mp3	haematorrhoa (NW NSW)	Alarm/departure (pair)	© MD
bluebon_20141206.mp3	haematorrhoa (NW NSW)	Squabbling	© MD
bluebon_20200114.m4a	haematorrhoa (NW NSW)	"Babbling"? (roosting in shrub)	© MD
bluebon_20200114_2.m4a	haematorrhoa (NW NSW)	"Babbling"? (roosting in shrub); some wind noise	© MD
bluebon_20230503.mp3	haematorrhoa (NW NSW)	?	© MD

More Blue Bonnet sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

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