A Melbourne wildlife sanctuary has welcomed its first orange-bellied parrot chick of the season.
The Moonlit Sanctuary Wildlife Conservation Park south-east of the Victorian capital is home to a number of threatened species, including the orange-bellied variety.
“We are so excited to share the news that our first orange-bellied parrot chick of 2024 has hatched,” the park shared on social media.
“With the season still relatively early, more eggs are expected to be laid and hatch in the coming weeks.”
The orange-bellied parrot is a small bird that weighs just 45-50 grams and is listed as critically endangered.
It is one of only three migratory parrot species in the world and can be found along the Victorian and South Australian coast between April and October.
The parrots then fly across the Bass Strait and down the west coast of Tasmania to Melaleuca to breed over summer.
“This season is looking positive for orange-bellied parrots with a record 83 arrivals already at Melaleuca,” the park said.
“We’re very excited that so many have already made it safely to the breeding grounds.”
