Rainbow Lorikeet

(click images to see larger ones)

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The estimates vary depending on the literature that's referenced.

Parrots belong to the order Psittaciformes, which is divided into three superfamilies:

• Psittacidae ("true" parrots) - 350 species world wide - with 40 in Australia
• Cacatuidae (cockatoos) - 21 species world wide - with 14 in Australia
• Strigopidae (New Zealand parrots) - 5 species, all endemic to New Zealand.

Species. To clarify, the Crimson Rosella is one species - although there are 6 sub-species or races, including the Adelaide and Yellow Rosellas.

Australian Ringneck
(Twenty-eight Parrot)
(Pemberton, WA)

There are several races of this parrot.
The Twenty-Eight Parrot is named after its call and is found in the south-west corner of Western Australia.

Australian Ringneck
(Mallee Ringneck)
(Cobar, NSW)

The Mallee Ringneck is found in the arid parts of NSW, Victoria and Queensland.
It is distinguished from the other members of its family by its blue/green head and the orange on its chest.

Australian Ringneck
(Port Lincoln Parrot)
(Kings Canyon, NT)

The Port Lincoln Parrot has a yellow belly and no red above its beak and is found in Western Australia, South Australia and into the Northern Territory.

Photo by Rosemary Culos

Australian King-Parrot
(male)
(Leura, NSW)

The male Australian King-Parrot has a red head and neck; the female and juveniles are green. They can be found along the Australian east coast and ranges.
Here's an image taken by John French in Blackheath, NSW.
See our Australian King-Parrot profile.

Crimson Rosella
(Cheltenham, NSW)

The Crimson Rosella can be found in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia in open forest areas. It has a distinctive melodic piping call.

See our Crimson Rosella profile.

Eastern Rosella
(Axedale, Vic.)

The Eastern Rosella can be found in the Eastern states - including South Australia and Tasmania.
Its white cheeks help identify it.

Photo by Michelle Abbott

Galah
(Mungo NP, NSW)

The Galah is found throughout Australia and its numbers are increasing - most probably due to land clearing.
The male has dark eyes; the female red eyes - as this image shows.
Here's a great photo by Michelle Abbott.

Gang-gang Cockatoo
(female)
(Leura, NSW)

Found in the forests of south-eastern Australia, the male has the distinctive crimson head.

Gang-gang Cockatoo
(male)
(Leura, NSW)

Aboriginal legend has it that the Waratah received its crimson colour from the male Gang-gang Cockatoo.
Its call resembles a very creaky door.

Little Corella
(Hay, NSW)

Identified by the blue around its eyes, and lack of red on its chest, the Little Corella can be found throughout the semi-arid regions of Australia.

Long-billed Corella
(Axedale, Vic.)

Easily recognised by its exaggerated hooked beak, the Long-billed Corella is mainly found in south-western Victoria.
Here's another image.

Photo by Michelle Abbott

Rainbow Lorikeet
(Cheltenham, NSW)

The Rainbow Lorikeet has all the colours of the rainbow.
When in groups, they enter into incessant chattering and fluttering about.
See our Rainbow Lorikeet profile.

Red-capped Parrot
(Albany, WA)

Found in south-western Australia the Red-capped Parrot has a longer slimmer beak to enable it to get into gumnuts.

Scaly-breasted Lorikeet

Found along the east coast and hinterland, it is the only Lorikeet that has a completely green head.

Photo by Martin Kandilas

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
(Austinmer, NSW)

The Sulphur-crested Cockatoo is best known for its loud raucous screeching.
They are usually found in flocks of a dozen or more.
Here's an image taken by John French in Blackheath, NSW.
See our Sulphur-crested Cockatoo profile.

Western Rosella
(Albany, WA)

Found in the south west of WA, the male Western Rosella has more distinct colours than the female which is mottled with green.
The Eastern Rosella has more yellow on its back and underside, plus it has white cheeks.

Regent Parrot
(female)
(Wemen, Vic)

Found in the lower Murray basin and south-western WA, the male is a more vibrant yellow.

Photo by Awesome Jones

Red-winged Parrot
(male)
(Prairie, Qld)

Found along the Top-end, most of Queensland and northern NSW, the male has a dark back.

Photo by Awesome Jones

Yellow Rosella
(Wirrabara, SA)

A race of the Crimson Rosella family, the Yellow Rosella is found along the waterways of inland NSW.

Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo
(female)
(Leura, NSW)

A large cockatoo, it is found in the south-east coast and ranges from Central Qld to Adelaide and Tasmania.
Stunning in flight, the male has a darker bill and a red eye-ring.
Here's another image and another.

Musk Lorikeet
(Ocean Shores, NSW)

Found from Rockhampton south to Adelaide plus Tasmania, on coast, ranges and inland slopes and plains. Usually in noisy flocks.
Here's another image and another.

Photos by Alan Lymbery

Eastern Ground Parrot
(Wooli, NSW)

Found along the coast from Brisbane south to Victoria plus throughout Tasmania.
It's shy and is largely terrestrial.
It's listed as "vulnerable" in NSW.

Photos by Alan Lymbery

Glossary