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Populations of Rock Parrot are found along coastal habitats and usually located within only a few hundred metres of the shore. The Rock Parrot favours perches in dense shrub, or in sand dunes and often nests in limestone rock crevices. Their preference for rock crevices may reflect the absence of suitable tree hollows rather than their desire for rocky tunnels.
The Rock Parrot mostly forages on the ground for seeds and vegetation. They fly in a rapid jerky motion and their call sounds like 'tsit-tseet'.
Rock Parrots were common on Rottnest Island prior to the 1940s but the population drastically declined due to predation by cats and the removal of young birds for the pet trade. Research into Rock Parrot population size is currently being undertaken by Bold Park Bird Banding Group and Rottnest Island Authority, with several individuals already tagged.
Find out more about Rock Parrot research on Rottnest Island.
