Australia is globally celebrated for its extraordinary biodiversity and its parrots are a shining example this natural wealth. From the noisy cockatoos to the dazzling lorikeets, these birds stand out as some of the most celebrated and vividly coloured inhabitants of the Australian landscape.

Falling under the order Psittaciformes, parrots in Australia are chiefly categorised into two families: Cacatuidae (cockatoos) and Psittaculidae (Old World parrots). These clever, frequently gregarious birds are distinguished by their robust, curved beaks, zygodactyl feet with claws, and their radiant plumage, rendering them some of the most recognisable and beloved denizens of Australia’s skies.

The allure of Australian parrots lies not just in their appearance but also in their behaviours and social structures. Cockatoos, for instance, are known for their expressive crests and complex social interactions. On the other hand, lorikeets, with their brush-tipped tongues, are often seen flitting about in search of nectar, adding a splash of colour to the treetops. These birds’ ability to mimic sounds and human speech further endears them to bird enthusiasts and researchers alike.

In exploring the world of Australian parrots, one cannot overlook the ecological roles they play. These birds are essential pollinators and seed dispersers, contributing significantly to the health and regeneration of their habitats. Their presence is a vital indicator of the ecosystem’s wellbeing, making their conservation a matter of great importance.

The Evolution of Australian Parrots

The story of Australian parrots is one of isolation and adaptation. The continent’s geographic separation from other landmasses allowed parrots to evolve and diversify with little competition from other large seed-eating birds. This isolation led to the development of unique species and adaptations, making Australian parrots some of the most diverse and specialized in the world.

Cockatoos of Australia (Family Cacatuidae)

Cockatoos are some of Australia’s most recognisable birds, famous for their spectacular head crests and vibrant personalities. With 14 recorded species, cockatoos can be found in a wide variety of habitats, from arid deserts to lush rainforests. They share many features with other parrots, such as their strong, curved beaks and zygodactyl feet (two toes facing forward and two backward), which help them grip and manipulate food. They are distinct from other parrots due to their often flamboyant crests and larger size.

Australian Cockatoos

Palm Cockatoo

The Palm Cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) is a striking bird found in northern Australia and New Guinea. This large, dark cockatoo is easily recognized by its distinctive red cheek patch and powerful beak. Intriguingly, Palm Cockatoos are known for their unique behavior of using tools to drum on trees, a rare trait in the bird world.

Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo

The Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii) is a magnificent species found across northern and eastern Australia. These large cockatoos are primarily black with vibrant red panels in their tails.

They exhibit sexual dimorphism, with males sporting a solid black beak while females have pale striping on their tails.

Glossy Black-Cockatoo

The Glossy Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami) is the smallest of the black cockatoos. They’re distinguished by their distinctive red tail panels and specialised diet, feeding almost exclusively on Casuarina seeds.

This dietary preference makes them particularly vulnerable to habitat changes.

Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo

Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos (Zanda funerea) are large, impressive birds found in southeastern Australia. They’re easily identified by their mostly black plumage accented with yellow cheek patches and tail panels.

These cockatoos are often seen in small family groups, their mournful calls echoing through their forest habitats.

Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo

Carnaby’s Black-Cockatoo (Zanda latirostris) is endemic to southwest Western Australia and is a species of concern due to ongoing habitat loss. This white-tailed black cockatoo is characterized by its short, strong bill, adapted for its primary food sources.

Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo

Baudin’s Black-Cockatoo (Zanda baudinii), also endemic to southwest Western Australia, is similar in appearance to Carnaby’s but can be distinguished by its longer, narrower bill.

This adaptation allows it to feed primarily on marri nuts, showcasing the specialized nature of these birds.

Gang-gang Cockatoo

The Gang-gang Cockatoo (Callocephalon fimbriatum) is a charismatic species found in the temperate forests of southeast Australia.

Males are easily identified by their distinctive red head crest, while females have a gray crest. They are the smallest of the dark cockatoos, with a charm that makes them favorites among birdwatchers.

Pink Cockatoo

The Pink Cockatoo (Lophochroa leadbeateri), also known as Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo, is one of Australia’s most striking parrots. Their plumage is a beautiful combination of pink and white, topped with a spectacular red and yellow crest.

These birds are found in arid and semi-arid inland areas, adding a splash of color to the outback.

Galah

The Galah (Eolophus roseicapilla) is one of Australia’s most common and widespread cockatoos. Their distinctive pink and gray plumage makes them easily recognizable. Highly adaptable, Galahs can be found in a variety of habitats across the continent, from urban areas to the remote interior.

Long-billed Corella

The Long-billed Corella (Cacatua tenuirostris) is a white cockatoo native to eastern Australia. It’s distinguished by its unusually long upper mandible, blue eye-ring, and pink face patch.

These features make it stand out among its corella cousins.

Western Corella

The Western Corella (Cacatua pastinator) is similar to the Long-billed Corella but with a shorter bill. Found in southwest Western Australia, it comprises two subspecies: Butler’s Corella and Muir’s Corella, each adapted to slightly different habitats within their range.

Little Corella

Little Corellas (Cacatua sanguinea) are small white cockatoos with distinctive blue eye-rings. They’re widespread across mainland Australia and are often seen (and heard) in large, noisy flocks. Their adaptability has allowed them to thrive in many environments, sometimes bringing them into conflict with human activities.

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo (Cacatua galerita) is perhaps one of Australia’s most iconic birds. Large and white with a distinctive yellow crest, these intelligent birds are known for their long lifespans and adaptability. They’re common in both urban and rural areas of eastern and northern Australia, often becoming familiar visitors to parks and gardens.

Cockatiel

Lastly, the Cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) is the smallest of the cockatoo species.

In the wild, they have a gray body with a white wing patch and yellow face, though captive breeding has produced many color variations. Their gentle nature and vocal abilities have made them popular pets worldwide, but in their native Australia, they can be seen in large flocks in the interior of the continent.

Old World Parrots of Australia (Family Psittaculidae)

The family Psittaculidae includes some of Australia’s most colourful and diverse parrots. These birds are found across Australia’s varied landscapes, from rainforests to deserts, and range in size from the tiny 8 cm budgerigar to the larger king parrots.

Australian Old World Parrots

Superb Parrot

The Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii) is a striking bird found in southeastern Australia. Known for its vibrant green plumage and long tail, the male sports a bright yellow face and throat, while females are more subtly colored. These parrots are often seen in small flocks, gracefully navigating through woodland areas.

Regent Parrot

The Regent Parrot (Polytelis anthopeplus) is a large, elegant parrot found in two distinct populations in southern Australia. The eastern subspecies is predominantly yellow with green wings, while the western subspecies has more olive-green plumage. Both are known for their long tail feathers and swift flight.

Princess Parrot

The Princess Parrot (Polytelis alexandrae), also known as the Alexandra’s Parrot, is a beautiful and elusive species from Australia’s arid interior. With its soft pink and blue-gray plumage and long, slender tail, it’s considered one of the most attractive parrots in Australia.

Their nomadic nature makes sightings particularly special.

Australian King-Parrot

The Australian King-Parrot (Alisterus scapularis) is a medium-sized parrot of the coastal eastern regions. Males are easily identified by their vibrant red head and body with deep green wings, while females have a green head and body. Their loud, clear calls are a familiar sound in their forest habitats.

Red-winged Parrot

The Red-winged Parrot (Aprosmictus erythropterus) is found across northern Australia. Males are primarily green with bright red wing patches, while females are duller with green wings.

These parrots are often seen in pairs or small groups, their red wings flashing brilliantly in flight.

Eclectus Parrot

The Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus) is renowned for its extreme sexual dimorphism. Males are a bright emerald green, while females are a striking red and blue. In Australia, they’re found in the far north of Queensland, often in rainforest areas.

Red-cheeked Parrot

The Red-cheeked Parrot (Geoffroyus geoffroyi) is a stocky parrot found in the Cape York Peninsula.

Males have distinctive red cheek patches, while both sexes have green bodies and blue-tinged wings. They’re often heard before they’re seen, with their screeching calls echoing through the forest.

Ground Parrot

The Ground Parrot (Pezoporus wallicus) is a rare and secretive species found in coastal heathlands. Their green plumage with black and yellow barring provides excellent camouflage.

Unlike most parrots, they’re primarily terrestrial, flying only when necessary.

Night Parrot

The Night Parrot (Pezoporus occidentalis) is one of Australia’s most enigmatic birds. Long thought extinct, it was rediscovered in 2013. This nocturnal, ground-dwelling parrot inhabits remote arid and semi-arid areas, its green and gold plumage blending perfectly with spinifex grass.

Bourke’s Parrot

Bourke’s Parrot (Neopsephotus bourkii) is a small, gentle parrot of the arid interior. Their soft pink, brown, and blue plumage is uniquely beautiful. They’re known for their quiet nature and their tendency to feed on the ground.

Blue-winged Parrot

The Blue-winged Parrot (Neophema chrysostoma) is a small parrot found in southern Australia. They have predominantly green plumage with distinctive blue wing edges.

These parrots undertake regular migrations between mainland Australia and Tasmania.

Elegant Parrot

The Elegant Parrot (Neophema elegans) is aptly named for its refined appearance. Found in southern Australia, it has bright green upper parts, a yellow belly, and a blue frontal band. They’re often seen feeding on the ground in small flocks.

Rock Parrot

The Rock Parrot (Neophema petrophila) is a coastal species found in southern Australia. Their olive-green plumage provides excellent camouflage among coastal rocks and low shrubs where they typically feed and nest.

Orange-bellied Parrot

The Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster) is one of Australia’s most endangered birds.

With fewer than 50 individuals left in the wild, this small, migratory parrot breeds only in southwest Tasmania before wintering on the mainland. Conservation efforts are essential to its survival.

Turquoise Parrot

The Turquoise Parrot (Neophema pulchella) is a small, colorful parrot of eastern Australia. Males have bright turquoise blue faces, while both sexes have vivid wing panels.

They’re often seen feeding on the ground in grassy woodlands.

Scarlet-chested Parrot

The Scarlet-chested Parrot (Neophema splendida) is one of Australia’s most beautiful parrots.

Males have a brilliant red chest and blue face, while females are more subtly colored. Their nomadic nature in the arid interior makes sightings particularly exciting for birdwatchers.

Swift Parrot

The Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor) is a small, fast-flying parrot that breeds only in Tasmania before migrating to mainland Australia. Their green plumage is accented with patches of red and blue. Habitat loss and predation have made them critically endangered.

Australian Ringneck

The Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius) is a medium-sized parrot with several subspecies across Australia, each with distinct coloration. Generally green with a yellow ring around the hindneck, they’re adaptable birds found in a variety of habitats.

Green Rosella

The Green Rosella (Platycercus caledonicus), endemic to Tasmania, is the largest of the rosellas. Their predominantly green plumage is marked with black and yellow, and they have a distinctive blue cheek patch.

They’re commonly seen in Tasmania’s forests and gardens.

Crimson Rosella

The Crimson Rosella (Platycercus elegans) is a familiar sight in eastern Australia. Adults are vivid crimson red with bright blue cheek patches, though coloration can vary significantly between subspecies.

Their raucous calls are a common sound in many urban and forest environments.

Eastern Rosella

The Eastern Rosella (Platycercus eximius) is arguably one of the most colourful of all Australian parrots. Their plumage is a bright patchwork of reds, yellows, greens, and blues. Common in southeast Australia, they’ve also been introduced to New Zealand.

Pale-headed Rosella

The Pale-headed Rosella (Platycercus adscitus) is found in northeastern Australia. As their name suggests, they have a pale blue head, contrasting with a yellow underbody and blue-black wings. They’re often seen in pairs or small family groups.

Northern Rosella

The Northern Rosella (Platycercus venustus) is native to northern Australia. They have a distinctive black head with white cheek patches, a yellow belly, and blue-black wings. These rosellas are less common than their southern counterparts.

Western Rosella

The Western Rosella (Platycercus icterotis) is the smallest of the rosella species. Endemic to southwest Western Australia, they have a bright red head and breast with yellow cheek patches and green-blue wings. They’re often found in eucalyptus forests and woodland areas.

Red-capped Parrot

The Red-capped Parrot (Purpureicephalus spurius) is a unique-looking parrot endemic to southwest Western Australia. They have a distinctive long bill, red cap, and purple-blue chest, making them easy to identify. These parrots are specially adapted to feed on marri nuts.

Mulga Parrot

The Mulga Parrot (Psephotellus varius) is a colorful parrot of the arid interior. Males are particularly striking with their bright yellow, green, and red plumage, while females are more subtly colored. They’re well adapted to arid conditions and are often seen feeding on the ground.

Red-rumped Parrot

The Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus) is a common sight in southeastern Australia. Males have a bright green body with yellow underparts and a red rump, while females are duller olive-green. They’re often seen feeding on grass seeds on the ground.

Budgerigar

The Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) is perhaps Australia’s most famous parrot species. In the wild, they’re small, green and yellow parrots that can form enormous flocks in the arid interior. Their popularity as pets has led to the development of many color variations in captivity.

Rainbow Lorikeet

The Rainbow Lorikeet (Trichoglossus moluccanus) is one of Australia’s most colorful and boisterous parrots. Their bright rainbow plumage and raucous calls make them unmistakable. Common in urban and forest environments along the east coast, they feed primarily on nectar and pollen.

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet

The Scaly-breasted Lorikeet (Trichoglossus chlorolepidotus) is smaller and less flamboyant than its rainbow cousin. They’re primarily green with yellow scalloping on the chest. These lorikeets are also nectar feeders and are common along Australia’s east coast.

Important Parrot Habitats

Australian parrots stand as some of the most extraordinary examples of avian diversity and adaptation on Earth. From the well-known Sulphur-crested Cockatoo to the elusive Night Parrot, these birds have found unique niches across the Australian continent—from the driest deserts to the lushest rainforests.

The tale of Australian parrots is one of resilience and inventiveness. Their evolution in isolation has resulted in a remarkable variety of species, each with distinct characteristics that enable them to flourish in their particular environments. For instance, brush-tongued lorikeets sip nectar from eucalyptus blossoms, massive black cockatoos crack open woody fruits to extract seeds, and ground-dwelling parrots navigate the arid interior, all illustrating the astonishing adaptability of these birds.

Nevertheless, the future of many Australian parrot species is precarious. Habitat destruction, climate change, and human encroachment pose serious threats to their survival. The rediscovery of the Night Parrot in 2013, after it was presumed extinct, serves as both a beacon of hope and a stark warning of how close we have come to losing these irreplaceable species.

Australian parrots are more than just stunning birds; they are essential components of ecosystems, acting as important seed dispersers and pollinators. They hold cultural significance for Indigenous Australians and have captivated people worldwide. The vividness of a Rainbow Lorikeet, the intelligence of a Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, and the delicate beauty of a Budgerigar in the wild are experiences that connect us profoundly with nature.

As we look ahead, the conservation of Australian parrots and their habitats must be a priority. Each of us plays a role, whether through supporting conservation initiatives, making environmentally conscious choices, or simply appreciating and raising awareness about these extraordinary birds.

The Land of Parrots is a unique and invaluable part of our world’s natural heritage. By understanding and protecting Australian parrots, we not only ensure their survival but also preserve a piece of Australia’s wild essence for future generations. Let the raucous call of a cockatoo or the vibrant flash of a passing rosella serve as a reminder of the incredible diversity of life on our planet and our duty to protect it.