Blue-winged Parrot

Neophema chrysostoma(Kuhl, 1820)

Least ConcernEndemic

Order: PSITTACIFORMES
Family: Psittaculidae
Genus: Neophema

Conservation: Least Concern
Commonness: Endemic
Best seen: Year-round

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

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.

02 · Where

Where to find it

Breeding range: Tasmania and southern Victoria
Non-breeding range: South-east South Australia, New South Wales, and occasionally north-east South Australia and south-west Queensland

03 · When