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Regent Parrot

Did you know?

Male Regent Parrots feed the female during incubation, so they depend on a good food source near the nesting tree hollow. The declining eastern population needs remnant mallee patches near their tree hollows. In the west, Regent Parrots benefit from agricultural crops and grain. The eastern population has declined, depending on stream-side trees for nesting and limited nearby mallee for feeding. It is listed as Endangered in New South Wales.

Calls
A loud and harsh 'carrak, carrak'. Also soft twittering contact calls.
Facts and Figures
Research Species: 
No
Minimum Size: 
37cm
Maximum Size: 
42cm
Average size: 
29cm
Average weight: 
175g
Breeding season: 
August to January
Clutch Size: 
3 to 5
Incubation: 
22 days
Nestling Period: 
30 days
Conservation Status
Federal: 
Vulnerable
NSW: 
Endangered
NT: 
Not present
QLD: 
Not present
SA: 
Secure
TAS: 
Not present
VIC: 
Vulnerable
WA: 
Secure
Basic Information
Scientific Name: 
Polytelis anthopeplus
Featured bird groups: 
Birds under threat
Parrots
Atlas Number: 
278
What does it look like?
Description: 

The Regent Parrot is a slim parrot with a long, dusky tapering tail and back-swept wings. It is mostly yellow, with blue-black wings and tail. There is a prominent yellow shoulder patch and red patches in the wings, which show up against the dark wings in flight. The bill is deep red or pink. Females and juveniles are duller olive-green with pinkish, duller wing patches. The Regent Parrot's distinctive call is often heard long before the birds appear. This species is also known as Black-tailed, Black-throated or Marlock Parrot or Smoker.

Similar species: 

The Regent Parrot is unmistakeable with its brilliant yellow colouring.

Where does it live?
Distribution: 

The Regent Parrot is endemic (only found in) to Australia. There are two separate populations: in the east they are found in south-western New South Wales, north-western Victoria and the Murray Mallee region of South Australia, while in Western Australia, they are found in the south west, where they are more numerous.

Habitat: 

The eastern population is found in River Red Gum, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, floodplain, woodland and mallee. The western population is found in open forest and woodland, especially Salmon Gum, E. salmonophloia.

Seasonal movements: 

Movement of the Regent Parrot is poorly understood, and it is considered nomadic or resident, probably linked with the availability of water.

What does it do?
Feeding: 

The Regent Parrot eats seeds of grasses and plants and cereal crops, especially wheat. It also eats buds and flowers, insect larvae, psyllids and lerps. It forages in pairs or small parties, usually on the ground, but also in the canopy of trees or in spilled grain on the ground.

Living with us

The Regent Parrot lays its eggs in hollow branches or holes in large old or dead trees near water. River Red Gums are favoured in the east and in the west, Salmon Gum woodland or often remnant roadside patches are used. The female incubates the eggs and the male feeds her by regurgitation. The milky seed of maturing wheat may be used to feed the young birds.

References: 
Australian Birds: Their Nests and Eggs.
Field guide to Australian Birds.
Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds, Volume 4 {(Parrots} to Dollarbird)
Parrots and Pigeons of Australia
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