King Parrot

Alisterus scapularis

The female King Parrot is on the left and the male is on the right.
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other names
Australian King Parrot, Southern King Parrot and King Lory.

DESCRIPTION

Male: The colours of the male King Parrot are striking, with the head and underparts being vivid scarlet, the back and wings a rich green and the tail a deep blue. Pale green markings on wings. Eye is yellow and bill is red above and blackish below.

Female: The female's colouring is duller in comparison, but just as beautiful, having a green head and body with red underparts and blue tinges on the lower back and tail. Eye is yellow and bill is reddish-grey.

Juvenile: Similar to female, but with a brown eye. Younger males become patchy red.

The King Parrot can be found along the eastern side of Australia's mainland, from Cooktown in Queensland and inland to the Canarvon Ranges, into the NSW wooded coastline and inland to the Warrumbungles National Park, down to the bottom end of Victoria and inland to Wodonga. Their habitat varies to include rainforests, palm forests, eucalypt forests, dense gullies, clearings, coastal woodlands, farms and orchards, parks and gardens. Their diet consists of leaf buds and new shoots, blossoms, nectar and seeds from natives such as eucalypt and acacia, as well as introduced plants, but they are also known to raid orchards and farms for fruit and vegetables such as apple and corn. The King Parrot breeds from September to January and builds its nest in tree hollows, high off the ground. Three to five eggs are laid which are incubated by the female for around twenty days. The young are fed initially by the female, but then by both parents once half grown. Young fledge after five weeks. The Parrot is common in its ranges.