Elegant Parrot
Neophema elegans
Handsome small parrot of southern Australia. Yellowish-green overall, with yellow underbelly, green back, green head, and thin dark blue patch on folded wing. Face yellow between eye and bill, with a thin blue line between the eyes. Feeds on the ground in open areas, including salt marshes. Compare Rock Parrot (duller green, lacks the yellow on face) and Blue-winged Parrot (more olive, small yellow patch behind eye). Calls include a very thin insect-like "zit" and a raspy trill.
Identification
The elegant parrot is 23 cm (9.1 in) long and predominantly golden olive in colour with a dark blue frontal band line above with lighter blue, while abdomen and vent are yellow. The female is a duller shade of olive all over and has a narrower blue frontal band. The wings are predominantly olive with outer flight feathers dark blue. The yellow-edged tail has shades of olive and blue. The bill and legs are grey and the eyes dark brown. Juveniles are duller and lack the frontal bands.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Neophema elegans
- Authority
- (Gould, 1837)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittaculidae
- Genus
- Neophema
Range and habitat
The elegant parrot is found in two disjunct regions, one across southwestern Australia from Moora in the north to Merredin and Esperance in the east, and in southeastern South Australia (including Kangaroo Island) north to Marree, and east into western Victoria.
- Migration
- Nomadic movement
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Gentoo Penguin
Pygoscelis papua
Attractive, medium-sized penguin that is rarely seen away from well-known colony sites. Appearance is distinctive with white “headphones” and a lipstick-orange bill unlike any other penguin. Striking head and bill pattern also make it one of the easiest penguins to identify when seen swimming at sea. Nests in small colonies and occurs around King and Magellanic Penguins in northern areas of its range, as on the Falklands.
Marbled Honeyeater
Pycnopygius cinereus
A medium-sized honeyeater of mid-mountain oak forest and adjacent secondary areas. Upperparts olive, underparts gray with mottling and some streaking on the crown. Note distinctive white crescents beneath the eye and on the cheek. Solitary and inconspicuous in the upper levels of forest. No other honeyeaters have these white cresents on the face. Voice, an often repeated, whistled “chirrup!” or more musical, wrenlike “chii-pi-dup!”.
Yellow-faced Parrotlet
Forpus xanthops
Tiny, uncommon parrot restricted to deserts in the Marañon Valley of northern Peru. The yellow (not green) crown, face, and throat separate it from Pacific Parrotlet. The rump and the inner part of the wings are bright blue, but are often concealed when the bird is perched. Found in very dry areas near the base of the valley, especially in areas with abundant cacti, a favorite food source. Threatened by poaching and habitat loss.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.