Donated to the Palace on separate occasions, the relationship between the two has been a bit of trial and error. Up until recently that is.

Turns out the two parrots have become quite acquainted.

Staff at the Palace were delighted to discover the pair of parrots were proud parents. Scarlett had successfully kept their newly hatched baby chick hidden away.

Keepers at Potoroo Palace had assumed Mordie's enthusiastic use of his beak, often causing superficial wounds to staff was normal behaviour. But now they realise Mordie was just being a protective parent.

The Eclectus' natural range in Australia is limited to Eastern Cape York Peninsula, found in the canopy of rainforests and adjacent eucalypt woodlands.

They are a large parrot, and can appear as two different types, as the male is a bright emerald green and the female mainly scarlet red. The species are known to be noisy and conspicuous, calling as they fly and screeching loudly when disturbed.

Their conservation status is classified as "vulnerable" and populations in the wild are on the decline.

Although Mordie and Scarlett are protective and attentive parents, they did permit a quick photo shoot by keeper Tahnee Harris.

The chick is not easily seen by visitors at this stage but it won't be long before he is venturing out of his nest. He is already quite big and is the sanctuary's first home grown Eclectus parrot, making him very special!