BirdUp · Species
Australian King Parrot
Alisterus scapularis(Lichtenstein, MHC, 1816)
Updated
- Order
- PSITTACIFORMES
- Family
- Psittaculidae
- Genus
- Alisterus
At a glance
The Australian King Parrot is a large bird, about 40–45 cm long, listed as Least Concern and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.
- Size
- 40–45 cm
- Conservation status
- Least Concern
- Origin
- Endemic
- Best seen
- Year-round
- Commonness
- Endemic
01 · Identification
How to tell it apart
What does an Australian King Parrot look like?
The Australian King Parrot is a large bird, about 40–45 cm long and weighing 174–285 g, identified by its male: Solid scarlet-red head, neck, and underparts; female: Entirely green head and chest; brilliant cobalt-blue lower back and rump; and male: Blue band across nape.
The Australian king parrot is a species of parrot endemic to eastern Australia ranging from Cooktown in Queensland to Port Campbell in Victoria. Found in humid and heavily forested upland regions of the eastern portion of the continent, including eucalyptus wooded areas in and directly adjacent to subtropical and temperate rainforest. They feed on fruits and seeds gathered from trees or on the ground.
Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0
- 01
Male: Solid scarlet-red head, neck, and underparts
Forms a clean, unbroken block of colour against the green back.
- 02
Female: Entirely green head and chest
Lacks any red on the head or breast, contrasting sharply with the male.
- 03
Brilliant cobalt-blue lower back and rump
A flash of deep blue on both sexes, most obvious in flight.
- 04
Male: Blue band across nape
Distinct blue collar separating the red head/neck from the green back.
03 · When
When to look
When can you see an Australian King Parrot?
The Australian King Parrot is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
04 · Voice
What it sounds like
Call
Mark Richman · Backhouse St, Wentworth Falls, NSW, AU
Call
ianrainbow · Upwey VIC 3158, Australia
Call
Thomas Mesaglio · Yeramba Lagoon and surrounding trails, Georges River NP, New South Wales
Call
John Cull · Heathmont VIC 3135, Australia
05 · Behaviour
Habits and haunts
What does an Australian King Parrot eat?
The Australian King Parrot feeds on fruit and seeds, usually foraging in arboreal gleaner.
06 · Gallery
Plumage up close
5 photos
The BirdUp app
Log your next Australian King Parrot in the field
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