10 things you might not know about regent parrots

Here’s 10 things you might not know about one of our region’s most bright and vulnerable species.

1 - Vulnerable

Regent parrots are nationally listed as vulnerable, state listed as endangered in New South Wales and vulnerable in Victoria and South Australia.

Unfortunately, regent parrot numbers have been declining in South Australia, with fewer than 400 breeding pairs remaining. 

Threats that are reducing their population include loss of nesting trees, decline in native food sources and safe foraging areas, competition and nest disturbance from other bird species, predation and vehicle collisions and limited understanding of breeding success.

Through dedicated projects, the Regional Regent Parrot Recovery Team and the Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board are teaming up with landholders, community members, volunteers, researchers from the Australian National University, zoos and industry groups to better understand and protect this vulnerable species to help them survive and thrive.

2 - Contributors

Regent parrots are vital contributors in keeping our river corridor and Mallee ecosystems healthy. By pollinating some native plants, they play a role in plant reproduction and biodiversity. They also contribute to the regeneration and spread of native plants through seed dispersal.

3 - Chatterboxes

Regent parrots are highly social birds, often seen in pairs or small flocks. They’re known for their loud, distinctive ‘carrack-carrack’ call, as well as softer twittering sounds. Hear it for yourself here.

4 - ‘Swifties’

No, they’re not mad fans of a certain famous singer (that we know of!) – it’s their flight that is swift, and usually low to the ground, weaving through tree-lined corridors for protection!

5 - Foragers

Regent parrots forage in pairs or small groups, both on the ground and in trees. Their diet is varied and includes seeds, buds, flowers, insect larvae, psyllids, and lerps.

6 - Choosy

Regent parrots are very choosy parents when it comes to nesting. They favour long-lived river red gum trees with hollows with small entrances, deep chambers and broad floors that provide ideal protection and space needed for raising their young. Old, hollow-bearing river red gums are essential for regent parrots but are rare and valuable. The deep, well-formed chambers that regent parrots require can take 100 to 400 years to develop!

7 - Post-harvest helpers

In the Riverland, regent parrots play a surprising role in helping almond growers by eating leftover “mummy nuts” that can cause crop disease. However, sometimes they can eat the healthy almonds too. To address this, decoy crops have been trialled where regent parrots are most likely to forage. This innovative approach supports both regent parrot conservation and sustainable almond farming. How cool is that!

8 - Tracking

In partnership with National Parks and Wildlife Service, Zoos SA and the regional regent parrot recovery team we have used radio telemetry to better understand the movements and behaviour of regent parrots. The Australian National University (ANU) is making important advancements in this, and researchers plan to monitor how these shy and elusive parrots use their habitat in greater detail.

9 - Book stars!

Regent parrots are showcased in Papaltata and Pangku – An Australian Regent Parrot Story – a vibrant new children’s storybook that brings conservation and culture to life. Written by Heather Freeman and illustrated by Peter Townsend, this engaging story teaches kids all about the regent parrot – where it lives, what threatens it, and how people are working together to protect it.

It also celebrates a strong connection to Country and the rich culture of the First Peoples of the River Murray and Mallee. Proceeds from every copy support Trees For Life: Trees For Habitat, helping to restore the native environments that regent parrots depend on.

10 - Colourful

Now this one is quite obvious when you look at them, but their colour is what they’re most known for! Male regent parrots are strikingly colourful, with a bright yellow head, neck and body. It’s blue-black wings and tail are accented by red wing patches and a bright red beak. Females and juveniles have similar patterns but are more olive-green around the head and body.

Have a 'carrack' at colouring in a regent parrot here!

For more information on the regent parrot, what we’re doing to help and how you can play your part, head to our regent parrot project page.