Attached are 2 photos (of dubious quality) of what I believe is a Red-rumped parrot. This bird flew into a tree in our garden with a male bird. They perched on separate branches but were calling softly to each other
as these parrots do. I don't know if it is a male or female, but as it arrived with a male bird I'm assuming it is a female, as these birds are almost always seen together in pairs. As you can see from the images the plumage is nothing like a Red-rumped parrot. I have no idea what causes plumage aberrations in birds. Any ideas or comments?

Hi Mary,
I have been hoping one of our experts would give you a reply. From what I can see, this is probably a juvenile female as it seems to have a cream cere and light coloured bill. Plumage on the side of the head appears mottled like the adult female. Juveniles begin a partial post-juvenile moult soon after leaving the nest, finishing 2-3 months later. I am wondering if the overall mottled appearance is due to juvenile feathers growing out (yellowish), surrounded by new greener feathers. Then there is the possibility of aberrant plumage as you mention. According to HANZAB, birds have been recorded with varying amounts of yellow plumage. Museum Victoria has a number of aberrant plumages in its collection with several having scattered yellow feathers. An explanation of the origin of aberrant plumage is beyond my limited knowledge of genetics. Sorry I am unable to be more helpful, maybe someone else can give us an authoritative answer.
Regards,
Ian

Thanks Ian,
Have been meaning to get back to you. I showed these photos last week to a very respected birdo who leads our Pilliga group, David Johnston. David has been surveying the Pilliga Forest for many many years. His opinion is that it is a feather aberration in a mature bird.
I have been keeping a lookout for this bird at our bird drinkers, but have not seen it since.
Thanks for your time, and as you say maybe someone can give us a definitive answer.
Mary

Hi Mary and Ian,
I am no expert at this sort of thing, but I did notice this the other day and I'm adding it here because it should be of interest.
If you scroll down a couple of images you will see what I'm talking about. . .

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/#inbox/159f34a0e0572946

Hope that this helps and is of interest. . .
Kind regards,
Bruce

Hi Bruce,

The link you posted is to an item in a gmail account's in-box, and is only visible to you; no-one else can see it. Presumably, the email item contains a link to a "real" internet article; that's what you need to post here so that others can access it.

Rob

Hi Rob,
Thanks for the reply and info mate. Sorry but I'm not 'that' good with all this adding links stuff. . .
It is a link to the latest outing by the BirdLifeMelbourne group and has just been posted out.


Banyule Flats and Wilson Reserve – January 2017

If someone with some puter skills who has this latest outing report, could you please post it here for the purposes of helping to identify the Parrot aberrations. . .
Kindest regards,
Bruce