FEEDING ECOLOGY OF HOODED PARROTS PSEPHOTUS-DISSIMILIS DURING THE EARLY WET SEASON

The feeding ecology and related behaviour of Hooded Parrots psephotus dissimilis were studied during the early wet season at several sites n orth-east of Katherine, Northern Territory. All foods taken by the par rots were recorded with measures of their abundance and their relative dietary importance. The diet comprised primarily the seeds of perenni al grasses; when these were unavailable, seeds of herbaceous species a nd annual grasses were taken, some of which could be eaten only slowly . Each food type required a different feeding technique. Variation in the skill of individual parrots in mastering feeding techniques may ex plain the apparent disappearance of immature parrots at this time of y ear. Hooded Parrots nearly always fed in association with the Black-fa ced Woodswallow Artamus cinereus and this may have implications for pr edator avoidance.