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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Psittaculidae
  4. ›
  5. Neophema
  6. ›
  7. Rock Parrot
Rock Parrot
Photo · Cas Liber

BirdUp · Species

Rock Parrot

Neophema petrophila(Gould, 1841)

Updated 21 March 2026

Origin: Endemic
Order
PSITTACIFORMES
Family
Psittaculidae
Genus
Neophema

At a glance

The Rock Parrot is a medium-sized bird, about 22–24 cm long, endemic to Australia. It can be seen year-round.

Size
22–24 cm
Origin
Endemic
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Endemic
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

What does a Rock Parrot look like?

The Rock Parrot is a medium-sized bird, about 22–24 cm long and weighing 48–56 g.

The rock parrot is a species of grass parrot native to Australia. Described by John Gould in 1841, it is a small parrot 22–24 cm long and weighing 50–60 g with predominantly olive-brown upperparts and more yellowish underparts. Its head is olive with light blue forecheeks and lores, and a dark blue frontal band line across the crown with lighter blue above and below. The sexes are similar in appearance, although the female tends to have a duller frontal band and less blue on the face. The female's call also tends to be far louder and more shrill than the male's. Two subspecies are currently recognised.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length
22–24 cm
Weight
48–56 g

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Rock Parrot?

The Rock 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 Rock Parrot eat?

The Rock Parrot feeds on fruit and seeds, usually foraging in pairs or flocks.

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

6 photos

The BirdUp app

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Rock Parrot live in Australia?

The Rock Parrot is endemic to Australia, recorded across 18 of Australia’s bioregions, with a core range spanning coastal south-west and south-central Australia.

BreedingCoastal south-west and south-central Australia

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Non-breeding
  • Resident

4 regions recorded