Small Green Parrots

There are a good number of small green parrots in Australia and the terms small and green don't do them justice. Most of these parrots have the same shape with small bills. As you will see, some of them are nearly identical and only geography sets them apart.

Double-eyed Fig Parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma) 

The Double-eyed Fig Parrot  is the smallest of all the parrots in Australia, being the size of a sparrow. It has a stunted and pointed tail and is commonly seen sticking out from the side of a tree as it stuffs fruit in its mouth. They are rainforest dwelling birds usually stick stubbornly at the top of the canopy.

There are 3 sub-species and pictured here is the macleayana. The male is on the left and has a bright red moustache. The female on the right has blue and white facial markings.  

Red-rumped Parrot (Psephotus haematonotus)

The Red-rumped Parrot is an attractive and fairly common sight across Victoria and NSW. The male plumage is a turquoise blending to green, orange and yellow, complete with a red rump which is only visible from a certain angle. The female is a duller olive green/brown.  

Mulga Parrot (Psephotus varius)

The Mulga Parrot is one of the most stunning parrots in Australia. The turquoise of the male (on the left) is almost iridescent. On top of that, he has yellow, red and blues. The female is a duller green but also has flashes of colour. Not as common as the Red-rumped, the Mulga Parrot is found in drier areas ranging from central NSW across to the coast of Western Australia. 

Budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) 

Like the Cockatiel, my experience of the Budgie has been in a cage. Nothing can prepare you for seeing flocks of a thousand of them in the Australian Outback sky. They are so energetic and charismatic, it is quite wonderful.  Their range is widespread across inland Australia but they are not that common, often just zooming past you. If you look closely at them, you can see how intricate their patterning is.

Blue-winged Parrot (Neophema chrysostoma)

The Blue-winged Parrot is on first impression, a rather dull bird but then you see the vivid blue blocking on the wing and the interesting blue bar above the bill. Suddenly they are rather sweet. They can be found in forests from the coast of central NSW all the way west and inland to central Western Australia. They are rather shy and so can be difficult to spot.

Rock Parrot (Neophema petrophila) 

The Rock Parrot is very similar to the Blue-winged, minus the blue wing of course. They are only found in isolated spots along coastal areas of South Australia and southern Western Australia. Aptly named, they prefer rocky habitats and will graze on the lichen there or on nearby grasses.

Turquoise Parrot (Neophema pulchella) 

The Turquoise Parrot is a rather rare and sought after species, found mainly in central NSW. Looking similar to other parrots in this group, it has a startling bright blue face (well the male anyway). It is rather more blue than turquoise but who's arguing? The female on the right has less blue and turquoise.  

Elegant Parrot (Neophema elegans) 

The Elegant Parrot is similar again to other species on this page but it lacks any real distinguishing features like them. Only a faint pale blue line about the dark back between the eyes gives it away. There are 2 sub-species found in South Australia and Western Australia. I like this little bird and it certainly lives up to its name, even eating grass in the most elegant way! 

Norfolk Island Parakeet (Cyanoramphus cookii) 

The Norfolk Island Parrot is a special addition to the Australia list. It could be argued that Norfolk Island has more in common with New Zealand than Australia. At only 1,000 km from Auckland,  it is certainly closer but it is actually a part of New South Wales and so its birds count as Australian. The only parrot on the island is closely related to the Kakariki (Red-crowned Parakeet) of New Zealand but it is distinct and endangered. For birders on Norfolk Island, it is the number one find. 

As with most parrots, it is very entertaining to watch as these birds interact or simply go about their business. Watching them eating guava fruit is pretty special. 

Eastern Ground Parrot (Pezoporus wallicus)

And still to find ...

Orange-bellied Parrot

Scarlet-chested Parrot

Swift Parrot

Night Parrot