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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Psittaculidae
  4. ›
  5. Neophema
  6. ›
  7. Blue-winged Parrot
Blue-winged Parrot
Photo · no rights reserved

BirdUp · Species

Blue-winged Parrot

Neophema chrysostoma(Kuhl, 1820)

Updated 21 March 2026

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Endemic
Order
PSITTACIFORMES
Family
Psittaculidae
Genus
Neophema

At a glance

The Blue-winged Parrot is a medium-sized bird, about 21–24 cm long, listed as Least Concern and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
21–24 cm
Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Blue-winged Parrot look like?

The Blue-winged Parrot is a medium-sized bird, about 21–24 cm long and weighing 33–58 g.

The blue-winged parrot, also known as the blue-banded parakeet or blue-banded grass-parakeet, is a small parrot found in Tasmania and southeast mainland Australia. It is partly migratory, with populations of blue-winged parrots travelling to Tasmania for the summer. The parrot is sexually dimorphic – the males have more blue on the wings and a two-toned blue frontal band on the head, while females are duller and have more green on the wings and a wingbar. Both sexes have predominantly olive-green plumage. Predominantly a feeder on the ground, the blue-winged parrot mainly eats seeds of grasses. It adapts readily to captivity.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
21–24 cm
Weight
33–58 g
Wingspan
32 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

  • During late summer and autumn, watch for large, conspicuous pre-migratory flocking behaviour where hundreds or even thousands of individuals may gather together.

flight

  • In flight, observe the long blue-grey tail with bright yellow outer feathers that are visible when fanned, as well as a flash of deep blue underwing coverts.

plumage

  • Look for an exceptionally broad patch of deep ultramarine blue on the wing coverts, which contrasts sharply against the bird's predominantly olive-green body.
  • Adult males feature a striking two-toned frontal band of dark navy positioned above a lighter turquoise-blue line; this band is fainter in females and absent in juveniles.

voice

  • Listen for a high-pitched, metallic 'tink-tink' or 'zit-zit' call, often delivered in a rapid, tinkling series when the bird is flushed or flying.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Blue-winged Parrot?

The Blue-winged Parrot is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

What does a Blue-winged Parrot eat?

The Blue-winged Parrot feeds on seeds, usually foraging in pairs or flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Blue-winged Parrot live in Australia?

The Blue-winged Parrot is endemic to Australia, recorded across 39 of Australia’s bioregions, with a core range spanning tasmania and southern Victoria.

BreedingTasmania and southern Victoria

Non-breedingSouth-east South Australia, New South Wales, and occasionally north-east South Australia and south-west Queensland

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Resident
  • Vagrant
  • Non-breeding
  • Breeding

8 regions recorded