Pallid Bluebonnet (Northiella haematogaster pallescens)

This should be a young bird of the subspecies Pallid Bluebonnet (Northiella haematogaster pallescens). Photo from the internet.

Colour description

The male resembles the nominate subspecies, Yellow-vented Bluebonnet, but in general the plumage, especially the breast and upperside, is markedly paler. The olive patch over the median wing-coverts is more yellowish.

The female looks like the male.

This pale subspecies, which lives in desert areas, is in some places considered a local geographic variant of the nominate subspecies, similar to the Red-rumped Parakeet's (Psephotus haematonotus haematonotus) in human care completely unknown subspecies, the Pallid Red-rumped Parakeet (Psephotus haematonotus caeruleus).

Length: 302 mm (males).

In the wild

Already back in 1838, the English ornithologist John Gould (1804 - 1881) described the nominate subspecies, and he was fully aware that this bird also existed in a lighter type. However, it was Salvadori who in 1891 described this subspecies.

It occurs in the Lake Eyre and Coopers Creek region of northeastern South Australia and almost certainly towards outer southwestern Queensland and possibly northwestern New South Wales.

Threats

This subspecies is listed as an endangered species in several places in the cage bird literature, but this does not apply to BirdLife International's records, as this organization primarily operates at species level (the nominate subspecies), cf. article on the Yellow-vented Bluebonnet.

Nature protection measures

No separate conservation measures are listed for this subspecies, which is listed on CITES, list II.

In human care

It has not been possible to provide any information on the presence of this subspecies in human care. Possibly it is connected with the fact that it has not been identified, as it differs only very slightly from the nominate subspecies (the Yellow-vented Bluebonnet). In addition, there is species variance, which means that you should have to have up to several birds sitting next to each other to be sure of your case.

As previously stated, it is in several places considered as a geographical variant of the nominate subspecies.

Colour mutations

I am not aware of any colour mutations of this subspecies.

Feeding

Likely to be similar to the care of the Yellow-vented Bluebonnet (see this one).

Jorgen Petersen

Conceived/Updated: 05.12.2010 / 30.01.2024 

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