Regent parrot

The regent parrot is a vibrant bird, found only in Australia and nationally listed as vulnerable.

Regent parrots play an important role in keeping our river corridor and Mallee ecosystems healthy – but their numbers have been declining, with fewer than 400 breeding pairs remaining in South Australia.

Regent parrots are often mistaken for rosellas, but they have distinct features that set them apart. The male regent parrot is 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 – making it one of the more vibrant birds in the region.

The female regent parrot and juveniles (young birds) have similar patterns to males but are more of an olive-green colour around the head and body.

Regent parrots are slender birds, measuring between 37-42 cm in length. They’re often seen in river red gum forests, floodplains, woodlands, and surrounding mallee habitat. They forage in pairs or small groups, both on the ground and in trees, feeding on a varied diet that includes seeds, buds, flowers, insect larvae, psyllids, and lerps.

Breeding occurs in deep hollows predominantly in large river red gum trees. Regent parrots start searching for nesting sites in mid to late July and begin breeding by mid-August. The female lays 3 to 6 eggs, incubating them for 21 days. During this time, the male forages in the mallee woodlands and returns to feed the brooding female by regurgitating food. After hatching, both parents forage and feed the chicks. At around 5 weeks of age, the chicks fledge.

They are highly social, often seen in pairs or small flocks. Their flight is swift and usually low to the ground, weaving through tree-lined corridors for protection. They’re known for their loud distinctive ‘carrack-carrack’ call, as well as softer twittering sounds.