Australian RingneckBarnardius zonariusLarge green parrot with a yellow collar. Four separate subspecies are recognized, with varying habitat preferences ranging from harsh arid mulga woodlands to suburban parks. Plumages also vary, and the subspecies sometimes interbreed. Shared characteristics are a yellow "ring" around the neck and overall turquoise-green plumage. The subspecies in eastern Australia have green heads, while those in central and western Australia have blackish heads. Some subspecies have orange belly bands and red above the bill. Calls including loud, ringing chatter and chiming.Psittaculidae bird family
Order Psittaciformes · 12 selected species
Browse verified BirdLens profiles selected for complete taxonomy, substantial descriptive coverage, and visual evidence. Open a species to compare its identification notes, distribution, behavior, sounds, and maps.
Australian RingneckBarnardius zonariusLarge green parrot with a yellow collar. Four separate subspecies are recognized, with varying habitat preferences ranging from harsh arid mulga woodlands to suburban parks. Plumages also vary, and the subspecies sometimes interbreed. Shared characteristics are a yellow "ring" around the neck and overall turquoise-green plumage. The subspecies in eastern Australia have green heads, while those in central and western Australia have blackish heads. Some subspecies have orange belly bands and red above the bill. Calls including loud, ringing chatter and chiming.
Chatham Islands ParakeetCyanoramphus forbesiMedium-sized bright green parakeet mainly restricted to Mangere and Little Mangere Islands on the Chatham Islands of New Zealand. Note distinctive yellow crown above a red forehead. Due to hybridization with Red-crowned Parakeet, some birds have red extending to and beyond the eye and a crown that varies from yellow-orange to orange-red. Males are larger than females. Will feed out in the open on flowering flax as well as in forest habitats. Commonly seen on the ground, scratching the surface like a chicken. Chatters quietly while feeding and often calls in flight. Forms small flocks in autumn and winter. Red-crowned Parakeet is present in the same habitat but lacks yellow on crown and has an obvious red band extending to, and beyond, the eye.
Crimson RosellaPlatycercus elegansColorful rosella with blue cheek patches and highly variable plumage, occuring in crimson, yellow, and orange forms. Note diagnostic blue cheek regardless of form (the Green Rosella of Tasmania also has blue cheeks but the two species’ ranges do not normally overlap). Juvenile much greener than adult, attaining a blotched mixed plumage as they transition to adult. Found in a wide range of habitats in southeastern Australia. In many locations it is accustomed to humans and can be quite tame. Contact call is a familiar two-toned whistle.
Echo ParakeetPsittacula equesFairly large, long-tailed bright green parakeet of the island of Mauritius. Males have a red bill, a black chin, and a pink-and-black collar. Females are duller, with a black bill. Endangered; found locally in and around remnant patches of humid forest. The call is a honking, nasal “kraa” that is usually repeated in quick sequence, lower-pitched than the typical high-pitched shrieks of Rose-ringed Parakeet. Very similar in appearance to that species, but separated by vocalizations, richer green overall plumage, and shorter and broader wings; females are easily separated by their black rather than red bills.
Northern RosellaPlatycercus venustusPale yellow rosella with black crown contrasting with white cheeks. The only rosella found in Northern Territory and northwestern Western Australia, where it inhabits open forests and woodlands, often near creeks and streams. Primarily pale yellow and black above, with blue wings and tail and red under the tail. Usually observed in pairs or small groups, generally difficult to find. Call is a clear double note (often repeated); also gives chattering, rattling calls.
Orange-bellied ParrotNeophema chrysogasterSmall grassy-green parrot that feeds on the ground. Bright green and yellow with blue wings and yellow lower belly with a central orange patch, yellowish throat, and thin mid-blue line between eyes. Compare Blue-winged Parrot (olive-green), Rock Parrot (duller olive-green) and Elegant Parrot (yellow-green, more distinct yellow patch in front of eye). Migratory, breeding in tree hollows on button grass moors in southwest Tasmania in summer, and wintering on saltmarsh in coastal Victoria and South Australia. Critically endangered and the subject of substantial conservation efforts. Calls include a soft buzzingchatter and a high-pitched, thin "ziiiit."
Red-capped ParrotPurpureicephalus spuriusMedium-sized, vividly colored parrot of eucalypt woodlands in southwestern Australia, where it uses the long bill to feed on eucalypt seeds, especially of Marri trees. Upperparts dark green, underparts purple, with red under the tail, red cap, and bright lime-green cheeks. Juvenile lacks red cap and is dully plumaged below. Calls includes scratchy chattering and squawking.
Red-crowned ParakeetCyanoramphus novaezelandiaeVibrant emerald-green parakeet endemic to New Zealand. Note distinctive red crown and small red patches behind the eyes. Red patches are present on each flank and a metallic blue leading edge is present on the wing. Males are larger than females. Restricted to offshore islands of New Zealand and sanctuaries on the mainland. Usually detected by its recognizable chattering call. Forms small flocks in autumn and winter. Similar to Yellow-crowned Parakeet and Malherbe’s Parakeet, but can be distinguished by its fully red crown and lower-pitched chattering.
Rock ParrotNeophema petrophilaAttractive small parrot of southwestern Australia. Dull olive-green parrot with yellowish lower belly and limited blue in folded wing. Face pale blue between eye and bill, with thin blue line between the eyes. Juvenile has yellow on face. Feeds on the ground in open coastal salt marsh and coastal grasslands. Compare Blue-winged Parrot (brighter green, with more yellow on face, large blue wing patch) and Elegant Parrot (yellower, yellow on face). Call a sharp, high-pitched "zit zit zit."
Turquoise ParrotNeophema pulchellaBrightly colored small parrot with yellow underbelly, green back, and a blue face and shoulder patch. Adult male has entirely blue face; female and juvenile have reduced blue. Typically occurs in fringe habitats: favors grassy areas near forest edges where small groups feed on the ground.
Western RosellaPlatycercus icterotisRed-and-green rosella with a yellow cheek in adults. The only rosella found in southwestern Western Australia, where it inhabits open woodland habitats and parks, usually feeding on the ground. Adult mottled green and black (or red) above, with red underparts and crown, blue rump, and blue wings. Adult male has more intense colors than female; juvenile lacks yellow cheeks and is more extensively green. Two subspecies exist, varying in back color: the inland subspecies has a green-and-black back, the southwestern subspecies a red-and-black back. Call is a slow, ringing double note; also gives chattering calls.Western RosellaPlatycercus icterotisRed-and-green rosella with a yellow cheek in adults. The only rosella found in southwestern Western Australia, where it inhabits open woodland habitats and parks, usually feeding on the ground. Adult mottled green and black (or red) above, with red underparts and crown, blue rump, and blue wings. Adult male has more intense colors than female; juvenile lacks yellow cheeks and is more extensively green. Two subspecies exist, varying in back color: the inland subspecies has a green-and-black back, the southwestern subspecies a red-and-black back. Call is a slow, ringing double note; also gives chattering calls.