Lexi Webster
Australia is home to a diverse range of parrots, with the continent often referred to as the 'Land of Parrots'. The geographic isolation of the continent has allowed parrots to diversify and colonise every corner of Australia, resulting in a wide variety of species and colours. Parrots can be found in most Australian habitats, from the arid outback to the humid coastal forests. Australia has two families of parrots: the Psittacidae or 'true parrot' family, and the Cacatuidae or Cockatoo family. Cockatoos are easily recognised by their distinctive crests, strong curved beaks and robust bodies, and can be found in a wide variety of habitats, from arid deserts to lush rainforests. The rest of this article will explore the different species of parrots found in Australia and the best places to spot them.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of parrot species in Australia | 56 |
| Common locations | Eastern and southeastern Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales, Northern Territory, Western Australia, South Australia |
| Specific parrot species | Turquoise parrot, Scarlet-chested parrot, Little Corella, Double-eyed Fig parrot, Red-cheeked parrot, Australian King Parrot, Red-winged parrot, Crimson Rosella, Western Rosella, Blue-cheeked race of the Pale-headed Rosella, Superb Parrot, Mulga Parrot, Hooded Parrot, Long-billed Corella, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Galah, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Pink Cockatoo, Regent Parrot, Princess Parrot, Australian King-Parrot, Budgerigar, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Varied Lorikeet, Musk Lorikeet, Red-collared Lorikeet |
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What You'll Learn
Parrots in Australia's forests
Australia is home to a diverse range of parrots, with about 56 species found across the continent. The country's geographic isolation has allowed parrots to diversify and colonise various habitats, including forests.
The Crimson Rosella, with its bright crimson, orange, and yellow colouring, inhabits woodlands and forests in eastern Australia, feeding on grass and eucalypt seeds, as well as insects. The Red-winged Parrot, a medium-sized bird, is found in open woodlands and shrubby grasslands, ranging from Papua New Guinea to Queensland and central north New South Wales.
The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, known for its bright yellow crest and white plumage, is commonly seen in eastern Australia, the southeast, and Kangaroo Island. The Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, with its distinctive yellow cheeks and tail panels against black plumage, is found in southeastern Australia, including Sydney and Tasmania.
The Galah, with its soft pink and grey feathers, is a common and widespread cockatoo found in various habitats, including urban areas and the remote interior. The Pink Cockatoo, also known as Major Mitchell's Cockatoo, is found in arid and semi-arid inland areas, adding a splash of colour to the outback.
The Regent Parrot has two distinct populations in southern Australia. The eastern subspecies is predominantly yellow with green wings, while the western subspecies has olive-green plumage. The Princess Parrot, also known as Alexandra's Parrot, is an elusive species with soft pink and blue-grey plumage found in Australia's arid interior.
The Double-eyed Fig Parrot, the smallest Australian parrot, is found in the World Heritage Wet Tropics area, including the Daintree and Tablelands. The Superb Parrot, a vulnerable species, inhabits woodlands in NSW and north Victoria.
The Mulga Parrot is found in the semi-dry inland areas of southern Australia, including the mallees, mulgas, and saltbushes. The Hooded Parrot makes its home in the dry savannah woodlands of the Northern Territory.
The Red-collared Lorikeet is unique to the Northern Territory and the north of Western Australia, feeding on fruit, nectar, blossoms, seeds, and berries. The Rainbow Lorikeet is common along the east coast, southeast, and in Perth, often feeding on flowering eucalypts.
These parrots play an essential role in Australia's biodiversity, and their presence in the forests adds to the country's reputation as the "Land of Parrots."
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Parrots in Australia's woodlands
Parrots are members of the order Psittaciformes, and Australia is home to two families of parrots: the Psittacidae or "true parrot" family, and the Cacatuidae or Cockatoo family. Australia's unique climate and habitats are perfect for parrots, and the country is home to 56 parrot species. Many parrots depend on hollows in mature trees to nest, and their diets consist of nuts, seeds, flowers, and insects.
The Crimson Rosella, with its bright crimson, orange, and yellow colouring, inhabits woodlands and forests across eastern Australia. The Red-winged Parrot is another parrot species that lives in open woodlands and shrubby grassland. Its range extends from Papua New Guinea to Queensland and central north New South Wales.
The Turquoise Parrot, with its distinctive blue crown and face, bright green back, and yellow throat, chest, belly, and tail edges, is found in the woodlands of southeast Queensland and northeastern Victoria. The Scarlet-chested Parrot, with its bright green upper body, blue face, throat, and cheeks, and scarlet chest, also lives in the open woodlands of southern inland Australia.
The Western Rosella, with its more subtle colouring, inhabits the woodlands of southwestern Australia. The Blue-cheeked race of the Pale-headed Rosella is found in the woodlands of southeast Queensland. The Superb Parrot, a vulnerable species, is a resident of the woodlands of NSW and north Victoria.
The Mulga Parrot inhabits the inland semi-dry areas of the southern half of Australia, including the woodlands of the mulgas and saltbushes. The Hooded Parrot, a spectacular parrot species, lives in the dry savannah woodlands of the Northern Territory.
The Glossy Black-Cockatoo is found in the casuarina woodlands of southeast Australia, while the Long-billed Corella, or Pink Cockatoo, is found in the open country across central Australia, always near water sources. The Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo is found in the southeastern states and Tasmania, feeding on seeds from trees and shrubs.
The Gang-gang, a small cockatoo with grey plumage and a bright red head and crest, is endemic to the woodlands and forests of southeastern Australia. They spend most of the year in the mountains, breeding in the hollows of eucalypt trees, and migrate to lower elevations in the winter.
The Rainbow Lorikeet, a common species along the eastern coast of Australia, prefers forest and woodland habitats but is also found in urban environments. The Little Lorikeet, one of the smallest Australian parrots, is found in the woodlands and forests of southern and eastern Australia.
The Red-cheeked Parrot is found in the subtropical and tropical dry forests, moist lowland forests, and mangroves of northern Australia.
These are just a few examples of the many parrot species that call Australia's woodlands home, showcasing the diverse and vibrant avian life that Australia has to offer.
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Parrots in Australia's grasslands
Parrots are part of the order Psittaciformes, which includes over 350 bird species. Australia has two families from this order: the Psittacidae or "true parrot" family and the Cacatuidae or cockatoo family. Many parrots are native to Australia due to the perfect climate and habitats.
Australia has a large number of parrots that live in savannas and grasslands. The Red-rumped Parrot, also known as the "Grass Parrot", is found in the grasslands and woodlands of southeast Australia. The Mulga Parrot, a small parrot, occurs in the wooded grasslands of the interior of southern Australia. The Red-winged Parrot, a medium-sized bird, lives in open woodlands and shrubby grasslands in northern and eastern Australia. The Turquoise Parrot, a brightly coloured bird, can be found in the grassy open woodlands of southeast Queensland and northeastern Victoria. The Hooded Parrot lives in the dry savannah woodlands of the Northern Territory.
The Golden-shouldered Parrot, one of Australia's most endangered birds, nests in termite mounds on the savanna. The Yellow-faced Parrot avoids forests and prefers open habitats and savannas, where it feeds on fruits and seeds. The Eastern Ground Parrot is one of only five species of ground-dwelling parrot in the world. The Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Australia's smallest parrot, is found in the forests of Australia.
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Parrots in Australia's coastal areas
Australia is home to 56 species of parrots, which are native to the country due to its perfect climate and habitats. Parrots are part of the order Psittaciformes, which includes over 350 bird species, including parakeets, macaws, cockatiels, and cockatoos.
The Rainbow Lorikeet is one of the most common birds found along Australia's east coast, in the southeast, and in Perth. They are aggressive in competing for nest sites and food. The Scaly-breasted Lorikeets live on the lowland east coast of Australia as far south as Woollongong. The Varied Lorikeet is a bird of the north, found in tropical forests and woodlands, especially where trees are flowering close to water sources. The Musk Lorikeet is found across Australia's southeast. The Red-collared Lorikeet is only found in the Northern Territory and the north of Western Australia.
The Australian King Parrot lives along the east coast of Australia, including Cooktown in Queensland and Port Campbell in Victoria. The Red-winged Parrot lives in open woodlands and shrubby grasslands. Their range extends from Papua New Guinea across the north, Queensland, and central north New South Wales. The Turquoise parrot is found in southeast Queensland and northeastern Victoria. Their habitats consist of grassy open woodlands with dead trees near water. The Red-cheeked parrot lives along streams and forests in northern Australia.
The Western Rosella inhabits the woodlands of the southwest corner of Australia. The Blue-cheeked race of the Pale-headed Rosella is found in southeast Queensland. The Superb Parrot is a vulnerable resident of NSW and north Victoria woodlands. The Mulga Parrots inhabit the inland semi-dry areas of the southern half of Australia. The Hooded Parrot lives in the dry savannah woodlands of the Northern Territory. The Long-billed Corella once lived in a small area of South Australia but is now found in other places, including Sydney. The Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo is found in the southeastern states and Tasmania. The Gang-gang cockatoo is endemic to the coastal regions of southeastern Australia, preferring forest habitats and woodlands.
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Parrots in Australia's arid areas
Australia is home to a diverse range of parrot species, with parrots found in most habitats across the continent, including arid and semi-arid regions. The country's geographic isolation has allowed parrots to diversify and colonise different environments, including the Outback and coastal areas.
One parrot species that inhabits arid regions is the Hooded Parrot, found in the dry savannah woodlands of the Northern Territory. They build their nests in termite mounds and live in woodlands and grasslands, especially near water sources. The best place to spot them is in Pine Creek, about 200 km south of Darwin. The Hooded Parrot is a member of the true parrot family (Psittacidae), which consists of 42 species in Australia, including rosellas and lorikeets.
The Mulga Parrot is another species that inhabits semi-dry inland areas of southern Australia, particularly the mallees, mulgas, and saltbushes. They feed on grass and tree seeds, flowers, fruit, and insect larvae.
The Western Ground Parrot, restricted to Western Australia, is one of the rarest parrots in the world, with only around 150 birds remaining in the wild. In 2021-2022, some individuals were translocated from Cape Arid to an area east of Albany to protect them from wildfires.
The Night Parrot, considered the 'holy grail' for birdwatchers, is another elusive species found in scattered populations across Australia's inland regions. There are no precise population statistics, but experts estimate there are between 50 and 249 mature individuals remaining.
The Scarlet-chested Parrot, a rarely encountered species, inhabits the arid and semi-arid regions of southern Australia. They are usually found in open woodlands of eucalypts, she-oak, mulga, spinifex, and saltbush, feeding primarily on grass seeds.
These parrot species showcase the diversity and adaptability of Australia's parrot population, with some species thriving in the country's arid and semi-arid environments.
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Frequently asked questions
Parrots are found in most habitats across Australia, from the arid and semi-arid Outback to the humid coastal forests. They are found in woodland areas, forests, grasslands, and urban areas.
The Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo is found in the south-east area of Australia, including Kangaroo Island, East Gippsland, and Maria Island. It is also found in the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia and central eastern Queensland.
The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is commonly found across Eastern and the South-East of Australia, Kangaroo Island, and East Gippsland.
The Red-winged Parrot can be found in the open woodlands and shrubby grasslands of Papua New Guinea, Queensland, and central north New South Wales.
The Rainbow Lorikeet is found along Australia's east coast, the south-east, and in Perth. They are also found in the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics area, including the Daintree and Tablelands.
