How does the night parrot survive in the Australian grasslands?

The night parrot (Geopsittacus occidentalis) is a rare, nocturnal bird native to the grasslands of Australia. To survive in this environment, it has developed specific behavioral adaptations:12

• Diet: It feeds at night, primarily consuming seeds from spinifex grass.1
• Shelter: During the day, the bird remains inactive, dozing under a tussock of grass to avoid the heat and exposure.1
• Nesting: Unlike many other psittaciforms that nest in tree holes, the night parrot constructs a twig platform nest within a bush, which is accessed via a tunnel. Additionally, it is known to nest in rock crevices or earthen caves.13

For decades, the species was thought to be extinct until a specimen was discovered in 1990, highlighting its elusive nature in the Australian landscape.1