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  1. Species
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  3. Psittaculidae
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  5. Neophema
  6. ›
  7. Orange-bellied Parrot
Orange-bellied Parrot
Photo · (c) Andrew Allen, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Orange-bellied Parrot

Neophema chrysogaster(Latham, 1790)

Updated 21 March 2026

Conservation status: Critically EndangeredOrigin: Endemic
Order
PSITTACIFORMES
Family
Psittaculidae
Genus
Neophema

At a glance

The Orange-bellied Parrot is a medium-sized bird, about 22–25 cm long, listed as Critically Endangered and endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
22–25 cm
Conservation status
Critically Endangered
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Rare
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does an Orange-bellied Parrot look like?

The Orange-bellied Parrot is a medium-sized bird, about 22–25 cm long and weighing 41–69 g.

The orange-bellied parrot is a small parrot endemic to southern Australia, and one of only three species of parrot that migrate. It was described by John Latham in 1790. A small parrot around 20 cm (8 in) long, it exhibits sexual dimorphism. The adult male is distinguished by its bright grass-green upper parts, yellow underparts and orange belly patch. The adult female and juvenile are duller green in colour. All birds have a prominent two-toned blue frontal band and blue outer wing feathers.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
22–25 cm
Weight
41–69 g
Wingspan
32 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

  • Watch for a solitary 'sentry' bird perched nearby while a group is feeding; this bird will emit a complex 'gurgle-buzz' call if threatened.

flight

  • Observe the bird in flight to see dark blue underwing coverts and flight feathers contrasting with paler blue median wing-coverts.

plumage

  • Look for the bright yellow outer feathers on the tail, which contrast sharply with the green-blue center when the tail is fanned during landing or takeoff.
  • In high-quality views, check the forehead for a 'sandwich' pattern: a dark blue horizontal band bordered by thin, light blue lines both above and below.

voice

  • Listen for a diagnostic, metallic buzzing contact call, usually a single note repeated every one to three seconds while the bird is in flight.
  • When flushed, listen for a quickly repeated 'tzeet' alarm call that has a distinctively grating or buzzing quality, rather than a musical whistle.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see an Orange-bellied Parrot?

The Orange-bellied 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 an Orange-bellied Parrot eat?

The Orange-bellied 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 Orange-bellied Parrot live in Australia?

The Orange-bellied Parrot is endemic to Australia, recorded across 15 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingCoastal south-west Tasmania (south-east Australia)

Non-breedingTo coastal south-east SA and west and central VIC (south-east Australia)

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Non-breeding
  • Vagrant
  • Breeding

7 regions recorded