Primarily green, with yellow-green underparts and extensive black barring throughout.
NT: Endangered
Indigenous: Eastern Ground Parrot
At a glance
FamilyOld World Parrots
SizeMedium
RarityUncommon
HabitatSubspecies wallicus, the eastern ground parrot, occurs in fragmented populations in coastal areas of south-eastern Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
Best timeMost reliable in New South Wales from January to April.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Marc Anderson
Range map
Range map
126visible hotspots
2232visible records
3states
Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Extremely shy; usually only seen flying away when disturbed. Adult has tiny red band above bill and pale eye.
Behavior
Call is the most reliable way to locate this species, which tends to call mostly at dawn and dusk: a high whistle that ascends in pitch.
Gallery
Regional timing
New South Wales
Queensland
Tasmania
Victoria
Western Australia
Australian Capital Territory
Commonly confused with
Swift ParrotLathamus discolorBreeds in Tasmania and migrates to southeastern Australia in autumn and winter. Adult bright green with red and yellow on face and a subtle blue-purple crown patch. In flight, shows bright red underwings and long red tail. Compare Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, which has shorter green-yellow tail.→Green RosellaPlatycercus caledonicusLarge green and yellow rosella with blue cheek patches and wings. Occurs mostly in woodland habitats.→Western RosellaPlatycercus icterotisThe only rosella found in southwestern Western Australia, where it inhabits open woodland habitats and parks, usually feeding on the ground. Adult mottled green and black (or red) above, with red underparts and crown, blue rump, and blue wings. Adult male has more intense colors than female; juvenile lacks yellow cheeks and is more extensively green. Two subspecies exist, varying in back color: the inland subspecies has a green-and-black back, the southwestern subspecies a red-and-black back.→