Parrots of Australia : Rainbow Feathers and Bushland Charisma

Parrots are one of the most fascinating and colorful bird families found across the globe. With over 350 species, the family of parrots boasts an incredible diversity of shapes, sizes, and colors. Australia is home to some of the most unique and captivating parrot species in the world, with many endemic to the region. From the iconic and popular rainbow lorikeet to the lesser-known but equally striking ground parrot, Australia is a bird lover’s paradise. In this article, we will explore some of the most notable parrot types found in Australia, their physical characteristics, behaviors, and conservation status.

Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)

Budgerigars, also known as “budgies,” are small parrots that are native to Australia. They have a yellow-green body, black and yellow wings, and a blue-tinted tail. Budgies are popular pets worldwide due to their small size and playful nature. They are omnivorous and mainly feed on seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Budgies are known for their excellent talking ability and can learn a wide range of words and phrases.

Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)

Rainbow Lorikeets are medium-sized parrots found in Australia and some parts of Indonesia. They are known for their vibrant rainbow-colored plumage, which includes shades of red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Rainbow Lorikeets have a brush-like tongue that enables them to feed on nectar, pollen, and soft fruits. They are also popular as pets due to their playful and affectionate nature. Although they can mimic some sounds, they are not known for their talking ability.

Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)

Cockatiels are small parrots native to Australia. They have a gray body with a yellow head and orange cheeks. Males have a distinct bright yellow crest on their head. Cockatiels are popular as pets due to their affectionate and social nature. They mainly feed on seeds, fruits, and vegetables. They can mimic some sounds and are known for their whistling ability.

Australian King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis)

Australian King Parrots are medium-sized parrots found in eastern Australia. The males have a bright red head, breast, and lower belly, with a green back, while females have a green head and belly. They mainly feed on fruits, seeds, and insects. Although they are not as popular as pets as some other parrot species, they are known for their beauty and can learn a few words and sounds.

Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans)

Crimson Rosellas are medium-sized parrots found in eastern and southeastern Australia. They have a bright red head, breast, and upper belly, with blue cheeks, black bib, and a green back. They mainly feed on seeds, fruits, and insects. Crimson Rosellas are popular as pets due to their striking colors, but they are not known for their talking ability.

Eastern Rosella (Platycercus eximius)

Eastern Rosellas are small to medium-sized parrots found in eastern Australia. They have a bright red head, neck, and breast, with yellow and green wings and a blue back. They mainly feed on seeds, fruits, and insects. Eastern Rosellas are popular as pets due to their striking colors, but they are not known for their talking ability.

Western Rosella (Platycercus icterotis)

Western Rosellas are small to medium-sized parrots found in southwestern Australia. They have a red head, neck, and breast, with blue cheeks, yellow wings, and a green back. They mainly feed on seeds, fruits, and insects. Although they are not as popular as pets as some other parrot species, they are known for their beauty and can learn a few words and sounds.

Princess Parrot (Polytelis alexandrae)

Princess Parrots are small parrots found in central Australia. They have a green body, with a blue and pink head, and a yellow and blue tail. They mainly feed on seeds, fruits, and insects. Although they are not as popular as pets as some other parrot species, they are known for their beauty and can learn a few words and sounds.

Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus)

Red-rumped Parrots are small parrots found in Australia. They have a green body, with a red rump, blue wings, and a yellow underbelly. They mainly feed on seeds, fruits, and insects. Although they are not as popular as pets as some other parrot species, they are known for their beauty and can learn a few words and sounds.

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus)

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos are large parrots found in eastern Australia. They have a black body, with yellow tail feathers and a prominent yellow cheek patch. They mainly feed on seeds, fruits, and insects. Although they are not as popular as pets as some other parrot species, they are known for their beauty and can learn a few words and sounds.

Gang-gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum)

Gang-gang Cockatoos are medium-sized parrots found in southeastern Australia. The males have a gray body, with a red head and crest, while females have a gray head and crest. They mainly feed on seeds and fruits. Although they are not as popular as pets as some other parrot species, they are known for their beauty and can learn a few words and sounds.

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri)

Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos are medium-sized parrots found in central and southern Australia. They have a white body, with a pink and yellow crest, and a pink and yellow underbelly. They mainly feed on seeds and fruits. Major Mitchell’s Cockatoos are popular as pets due to their striking colors and affectionate nature. They can also mimic some sounds and are known for their whistling ability.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita)

Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are large parrots found in Australia and some parts of Indonesia. They have a white body, with a prominent yellow crest and a yellow underbelly. They mainly feed on seeds, fruits, and insects. Sulphur-crested Cockatoos are popular as pets due to their striking colors and affectionate nature. They are also known for their excellent talking ability and can learn a wide range of words and phrases.

Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla)

Galahs are medium-sized parrots found in Australia. They have a pink and gray body, with a distinctive white face and crest. They mainly feed on seeds and fruits. Galahs are popular as pets due to their playful and affectionate nature. They can mimic some sounds and are known for their whistling ability.

Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus)

Eclectus Parrots are medium-sized parrots found in the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, and northeastern Australia. They have a sexually dimorphic plumage, with males having a bright green body, while females have red and blue body. They mainly feed on fruits and some insects. Eclectus Parrots are popular as pets due to their striking colors and affectionate nature. They are also known for their excellent talking ability and can learn a wide range of words and phrases.

Blue-winged Parrot (Neophema chrysostoma)

Blue-winged Parrots are small parrots found in eastern Australia. They have a green body, with a blue face, wings, and tail. They mainly feed on seeds and fruits. Although they are not as popular as pets as some other parrot

Mulga Parrot

The Mulga Parrot is a small parrot species found in arid and semi-arid regions of Australia. They have a green body with a yellow underbelly, and the males have a bright red cap. Their diet consists of seeds, berries, and insects. Mulga Parrots are not commonly kept as pets, as they are difficult to breed in captivity. They have a low talking ability.

Regent Parrot

The Regent Parrot is a large parrot species found in southeastern Australia. They have a green body with yellow and black markings, and the males have bright yellow head. Their diet consists of seeds, nuts, and fruits. Regent Parrots are not commonly kept as pets, as they are protected in the wild and are difficult to breed in captivity. They have low talking ability.

Red-capped Parrot

The Red-capped Parrot is a small parrot species found in southern Australia. They have a green body with a red cap, and the males have a brighter red cap than the females. Their diet consists of seeds, nuts, and fruits. Red-capped Parrots are not commonly kept as pets, as they are difficult to breed in captivity. They have low talking ability.

Musk Lorikeet

The Musk Lorikeet is a small lorikeet species found in eastern and southeastern Australia. They have a green body with a red face and a blue forehead. Their diet consists mainly of nectar and pollen. Musk Lorikeets are not commonly kept as pets, as they are protected in the wild and are difficult to breed in captivity. They have low talking ability.

Little Lorikeet

The Little Lorikeet is a small lorikeet species found in southeastern Australia. They have a green body with a red face and a blue forehead. Their diet consists mainly of nectar and pollen. Little Lorikeets are not commonly kept as pets, as they are difficult to breed in captivity. They have a low talking ability.

Varied Lorikeet

The Varied Lorikeet is a small lorikeet species found in northern and eastern Australia. They have a green body with a red face and a blue forehead. Their diet consists mainly of nectar and pollen. Varied Lorikeets are not commonly kept as pets, as they are protected in the wild and are difficult to breed in captivity. They have low talking ability.

Red-tailed Black Cockatoo

The Red-tailed Black Cockatoo is a large cockatoo species found in northern and eastern Australia. They have a black body with a red tail and a prominent crest. Their diet consists mainly of seeds, nuts, and fruits. Red-tailed Black Cockatoos are not commonly kept as pets, as they are protected in the wild and can be difficult to care for in captivity. They have a low talking ability.

Long-billed Corella

The Long-billed Corella is a small cockatoo species found in southern and eastern Australia. They have a white body with a pink face and a long, curved beak. Their diet consists mainly of seeds, nuts, and fruits. Long-billed Corellas are sometimes kept as pets, but they are known to be noisy and destructive. They have a moderate talking ability.

Short-billed Corella

The Short-billed Corella is a small cockatoo species found in southeastern Australia. They have a white body with a short, stubby beak. Their diet consists mainly of seeds, nuts, and fruits. Short-billed Corellas are sometimes kept as pets, but they are known to be noisy and destructive. They have a moderate talking ability.

Here is a full list of all parrot species found in Australia:

1. Adelaide Rosella (Platycercus adelaidae)
2. Alexandrine Parakeet (Psittacula eupatria)
3. Australian King-Parrot (Alisterus scapularis)
4. Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius)
5. Barnard’s Parakeet (Barnardius barnardi)
6. Blue Bonnet (Northiella haematogaster)
7. Blue Mountain Lorikeet (Trichoglossus forsteni)
8. Blue-winged Parrot (Neophema chrysostoma)
9. Bourke’s Parrot (Neopsephotus bourkii)
10. Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus)
11. Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus)
12. Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans)
13. Double-eyed Fig-Parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma)
14. Eastern Rosella (Platycercus eximius)
15. Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus)
16. Elegant Parrot (Neophema elegans)
17. Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla)
18. Gang-gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum)
19. Glossy Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami)
20. Golden-shouldered Parrot (Psephotellus chrysopterygius)
21. Great-billed Parrot (Tanygnathus megalorynchos)
22. Green Rosella (Platycercus caledonicus)
23. Ground Parrot (Pezoporus wallicus)
24. Hooded Parrot (Psephotus dissimilis)
25. Little Corella (Cacatua sanguinea)
26. Long-billed Corella (Cacatua tenuirostris)
27. Mallee Ringneck (Barnardius barnardi barnardi)
28. Musk Lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna)
29. Northern Rosella (Platycercus venustus)
30. Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster)
31. Pale-headed Rosella (Platycercus adscitus)
32. Princess Parrot (Polytelis alexandrae)
33. Purple-crowned Lorikeet (Glossopsitta porphyrocephala)
34. Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus haematodus)
35. Red-capped Parrot (Purpureicephalus spurius)
36. Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus)
37. Red-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii)
38. Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus)
39. Rock Parrot (Neophema petrophila)
40. Rosella (Platycercus sp.)
41. Scarlet-chested Parrot (Neophema splendida)
42. Shining Parrot (Prosopeia splendens)
43. Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii)
44. Turquoise Parrot (Neophema pulchella)
45. Twenty-eight Parrot (Barnardius zonarius semitorquatus)
46. Varied Lorikeet (Psitteuteles versicolor)
47. Western Rosella (Platycercus icterotis)
48. Yellow-collared Lovebird (Agapornis personatus)
49. Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus funereus)