NESTING SITES OF THE HOODED PARROT PSEPHOTUS-DISSIMILIS IN THE NORTHERN-TERRITORY

Hooded Parrots Psephotus dissimilis occur in central northern Australi a. They excavate nests in termitaria: mean nest densities ranged from 0.45 to 0.70 per km(2). Clutches were initiated from late January to m id-April. Cavity temperatures varied less with respect to external tem peratures in large termitaria than small. Sites differed in volumes of termitaria, and in the direction and height of cavity entrances. Aver age clutch size was 4.3 and egg dimensions (20.8 x 18.3 mm) did not va ry across sites. There was no difference in nesting success between si tes; of the eggs laid, about 50% produced fledglings.