Parrots - Australian
BirdCare.com.au
PO  Box 126 Mitcham Vic 3132 ( Victoria, Australia )

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Bluebonnet Parrot
Blue winged Parrot
Bourke's Parrot
Budgie
Bush Budgerigar
Cloncurry Parrot
Cockatiel
Eclectus Parrot
Elegant Parrot
Fig Parrot
Golden shouldered Parrot
Hooded Parrot
King Parrot
Mallee Ringneck Parrot
Mulga Parrot
Port Lincoln Parrot
Princess Parrot
Red capped Parrot
Red rumped Parrot
Red winged Parrot
Regent Parrot
Rock Parrot
Scarlet chested Parrot
Superb Parrot
Swift Parrot
Turquoise Parrot
Twenty eight Parrot

. Australian parrots

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Only parrots held by private aviculturists will be listed and for simplicity no hyphens have been used in the common names.
For the purpose of simplicity, there will be no differentiation between parakeet and parrot.  Both will come under the heading of parrots.  For convenience only, the Cockatiel is listed under Australian Parrots.  The Cockatiel is actually a Cockatoo but its management more closely resembles that of an Australian parrot.

Refer to "Cockatoos" web page for: Black Cockatoos, Galah, Gang Gang, Corellas, Major Mitchell's, and Sulphur Crested.

For Rosellas: refer to "Rosellas" web page.

Many Australian States use differing names for the same parrots. Additional names will be listed under the heading "Common names" on each page.

Government Regulations & By-Laws: Refer to "Government Laws" web page.

General  Information:

One sixth of the world's species of parrots are native to Australia.

Breeding

  • All parrot eggs are white and are generally laid in the afternoon or early evening.
  • Most Australian parrots lay 4 - 6 eggs per clutch.
  • Most Australian parrots have a single clutch per year. (Neophemas may have more than one)
  • For most Australian parrots, incubation is in the range 18 - 21 days.
  • For most Australian parrots, fledging occurs in the range 4 - 5 weeks.
  • For most Australian parrots, young become independent at about 2 weeks after leaving the nest (Most Neophemas take longer, about 3 - 4 weeks)
  • All Australian parrots will breed in hollow logs.
  • Parrots do no damage to the tree in which they nests.  The addition of "droppings" or faeces around the tree can be beneficial to the health of the tree - a natural fertilizer.
  • Australian parrots, with the exception of the cockatiel and cockatoos, the hen alone incubates the eggs and broods alone.
  • Nest box size - rough rule of thumb - The internal length of each side of the base of the nest box is equal to the length of the bird minus the tail i.e. beak to vent length.  Minimum height of the nest box to be at least three times the  internal width of the nest box.
  • Give the choice of about three logs or nest boxes at the start of the breeding season to allow the birds to choose the one that they prefer.
  • If you buy birds from the breeder, especially hens, try and find out what type and size of nest box or log they were bred in and offer the same type and size to the young birds when they reach breeding age.
  • All parrots have 12 tail feathers, except the Whiskered Lorikeet which has 14 tail feathers.

Most Australian parrots only use the nest box during the breeding season.  The removal of the nest box or log after the end of the breeding season will prevent the hen laying in the winter months.  The reintroduction of their nest or log prior to the next breeding season may stimulate the birds to breed.

Nest boxes and logs are often placed in a vertical position but can be on any angle up to 45 degrees.  Some bird breeders place the larger logs for the large cockatoos and macaws on an angle close to horizontal.

In the wild, about 90% of parrots use hollows in trees to roost in or lay their eggs and raise their young.  Australia does not have any species of woodpeckers so the parrots and other animals that use tree hollows have to wait till a tree becomes old enough for the hollows to start to form by the natural decay of the heart wood of the tree.  It takes about 100 years for a large tree such as a eucalypt to start to develop hollows in the trunk or branches.  The tree trunk has to be about 400 mm ( 16 inches ) in diameter to be of use to the larger parrots and larger animals.  The trees that develop suitable hollows can live for about 400 years.  One tree with one or more suitable hollows that is surrounded by suitable food supplies can be home to hundreds of generations of parrots and other hollow breeding animals.

Parrots, finches and other animals that use the hollows in trees do no harm to the tree by using the hollow for a place to roost or incubate and raise the young.

Most parrots require a hollow so the tree must be about 100 to 120 years old or older before the tree will develop a hollow suitable for a nesting parrot.

The larger cockatoos require a large hollow so the tree must be about 150 years old or older to be of use for these birds.

For conservation and environmental reasons, most bird breeders use manufactured timber nest boxes.  Timber nest boxes are inexpensive, easily replaced and come in a range of sizes, shapes and designs.

Feeding / Diet:  Also refer to "Feeding birds" web page for more information.

Commercial mixes have a fairly standard mix of seeds and require a balance of fruit and vegetable to give the birds a suitable nutritious food to keep them in good condition for the tasks of breeding and raising their young.  One problem that many breeders come across is birds not eating a balance of seed and other nutrients.  Birds generally accept foods that they have been fed to them by their parents.  Encouraging some birds on to new foods can be a frustrating task and some birds win the battle and refuse to eat any foods other than their favourites.

The domestication of all our aviary birds, including cockatoos, has led to a change in the foods the original captive birds ate.  We give seeds and other foods to our own pairs of birds and the ones that accept those foods will often be the most productive breeders.  The more generations we breed with an aviary mix of foods, the ensuing generations will adapt to those foods.  In the wild cockatoos cover vast areas of country and follow the supply of suitable foods.  The variety of foods and insects the wild birds have access to is impossible to duplicate in the aviary or captive breeding situation.  The time and resources breeders have available is often restricted by the ever increasing demands placed on their lives by pressures other than the needs of the birds.  People living in rural or farmland areas may have access to a wider range of natural foods.  City people often have a wider range of frozen foods, plus fruits and vegetables that have been freighted in from interstate and available all year round.

Housing Australian Parrots:  Also refer to "Housing birds" web page for more information.

In a large aviary, young birds just after they leave the nest are often "clumsy" fliers and may crash into the front wire wall.  The placement of hessian on the outer side of the wire wall or leafy branches close to the wire inside the cage should minimize the risk of injury of a young bird. The young bird should see the hessian or leafy branches and not fly into the end of the aviary.
Birds new to an aviary will benefit from branches or hessian material at the open end of the aviary.  They should see the material and not crash into the wire mesh.  This should minimize impact injuries of newly introduced birds.

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General References:  Refer to references listed on " Book References " web page.

Specific References:

  • Australian Aviculture
  • A/A Vol 60 No. 8 Aug 2006 Page 157-159 (Life with birds - J. McGrath).

  • A/A Vol 60 No. 5 May 2006 Page 98-100 (Birding in the Kimberleys - 2005).

  • A/A Vol 60 No. 4 Apr 2006 Page 69-71 (Advantages & disadvantages of Bird keeping in hot climates)
  • A/A Vol 59 No. 11 Nov 2005 Page 252-253 (Use of crop needles)
  • A/A Vol 59 No. 10 Oct 2005 Page 233-235 (The case for feeding Green foods - by Dr D. Madill).
  • A/A Vol  58 No. 12 Dec 2004 Page 267 (Orange bellied parrot).
  • A/A Vol  58 No. 11 Nov 2004 Page 241 - 244 (Aust. Ringnecks).
  • A/A Vol  58 No. 9 Sept 2004 Page 210-211 (Book review-Atlas of Aust. birds).
  • A/A Vol  58 No. 5 May 2004 Page 119 (Book review-Australian Coral-billed Parrots).

  • A/A Vol  57 No. 10 Oct 2003 Page 223-225 (Suspended cages)
  • A/A Vol  57 No. 1 Jan 2003 Page 9-13 (Birdroom)
  • A/A Vol  56  No. 1 Jan 2002 Page 7 (R. Low)
  • A/A Vol  53 No. 11 Nov 1999 Page 254-255 (Neophema in suspended cages
  • A/A Vol  53 No. 5 May 1999 Page 97-98 (Mentoring)
  • A/A Vol  53 No. 4 Apr 1999 Page 82-86 (Interview R. Low)
  • A/A Vol  53 No. 1 Jan 1999 Page 15-16 (Improving the quality of our birds lives
  • A/A Vol  52 No.11 Nov 1998 Page 256-258 (Pellet food)
  • A/A Vol  52 No. 5 May 1998 Page 97-98 (Suspended Cages)
  • A/A Vol  52 No. 2 Feb 1998 Page 42-43 (DNRE returns 96/97)
  • A/A Vol  51  No. 11 Nov 1997 Page 243-250 (S. Gelis - Nutrition
  • A/A Vol  51  No. 10  Oct 1997 Page 217-218 (Keeping birds naturally)
  • A/A Vol  51  No. 5 May 1997 Page 101-107 (Victorian population trends 1993-96)
  • A/A Vol  50  No. 10 Oct 1996 Page 236-241 (A guide to the status of Aust. parrots & cockatoos in Victorian aviaries)
  • A/A Vol  50  No. 9 Sept 1996 Page 216-217 (Nest inspections)
  • A/A Vol  50  No.  7 July 1996 Page 152-156 (Interview  P. Sperberr
  • A/A Vol  49  No. 11 Nov 1995 Page 201(Conserving "normals")
  • A/A Vol  49  No. 10 Oct 1995 Page 221-222 (Conserving "normals")
  • A/A Vol  49  No. 7 July 1995 Page 153-160 (Planting aviaries for parrots & cockatoos)
  • A/A Vol  48  No. 4 Apr 1994 Page 83-88 (Studbooks)
  • A/A Vol  48  No. 2 Feb 1994 Page 38-39 (For beginners)
  • A/A Vol  47  No. 4 Apr 1993 Page 81-84 (Interview-Ian Lynch)
  • A/A Vol  47  No. 4 Apr 1993 Page 49-50 (Spain) (Parrots in flocks)
  • A/A Vol 46 No. 8 Aug 1992 Page 181-187 (Bird feeding survey)
  • A/A Vol 46 No. 4 Apr 1992 Page 97-99
  • A/A Vol 45 No. 12 Dec 1991 Page 300-302 (Mutations debate)
  • A/A Vol 45 No. 10 Oct 1991 Page 241-242 (Mutations etc. debate)
  • A/A Vol 45 No. 9 Sept 1991 Page 231-232 (Mutations debate)
  • A/A Vol 45 No. 8 Aug 1991 Page 185-189 (Harry Butler lecture)
  • A/A Vol 45 No. 8 Aug 1991 Page 191 (Mutations debate)
  • A/A Vol 45 No. 8 Aug 1991 Page 194-196 (Neophemas)
  • A/A Vol 45 No. 8 Aug 1991 Page 200-201 (U.K.) (Breeding register)
  • A/A Vol 45 No. 7 July 1991 Page 161-162 (Mutations debate)
  • A/A Vol 45 No. 7 July 1991 Page 163-166 (Interview-Fred Barnicoat
  • A/A Vol 45 No. 5 May 1991 Page 119-125 (Beginners mistakes)
  • A/A Vol 45 No. 4 Apr 1991 Page 87-90 (Pure species)
  • A/A Vol 45 No. 2 Feb1991 Page 29-33 (Interview-C. Hibbert)
  • A/A Vol 44 No. 11 Nov 1990 Page 285-288 (Wildlife rehabilitation)
  • A/A Vol 44 No. 10 Oct 1990 Page 250-253 (Interview-Ray Murray)
  • A/A Vol 44 No. 6 Jun 1990 Page 138-142 (Aviculture's beginnings in Aust.)
  • A/A Vol 44 No. 5 May 1990 Page 105-106 (Society's beginnings)
  • A/A Vol 44 No. 5 May 1990 Page 109-112 (Loro Parque)
  • A/A Vol 44 No.1 Jan 1990 Page16-21 (Interview-M. Shephard)
  • A/A Vol 43 No.1 Jan 1989 Page16-17 (Interview-G. Haywood)
  • A/A Vol 42 No. 7 Jul 1988 Page 165-175 (Orange Bellied - Inc Photos)
  • A/A Vol 42 No. 6 Jun 1988 Page 137-144 (Parrot breeding USA)
  • A/A Vol 42 No. 4 Apr 1988 Page 87-92 (Colour mutations)
  • A/A Vol 38 No. 7 Jul 1984 Page 160-174 (1983 breeding register)
  • A/A Vol 38 No. 10 Oct 1984 Page 225-226 (Neophema Survey)
  • A/A Vol 36 No. 1 Jan 1982 Page 11-16 (Orange bellied)
  • A/A Vol 35 No. 4 Apr 1981 Page 90-94 (Neophemas)
  • A/A Vol 34 No. 6 Jun 1980 Page 112-115
  • A/A Vol 34 No. 4 Apr 1980 Page 73-75 (Paradise Parrot)
  • A/A Vol 31 No. 10 Oct 1977 Page 143 (Syd Smith nest design)
  • A/A Vol 29 No. 7 July 1975 Page 100-103
  • A/A Vol 28 No. 5 May 1974 Page 72-75 (Husbandry)
  • A/A Vol 28 No. 4 Apr 1974 Page 53-54 (Husbandry)
  • A/A Vol 28 No. 3 Mar 1974 Page 37-38 (Husbandry)
  • A/A Vol 28 No. 2 Feb 1974 Page 22-26 (Husbandry)
  • A/A Vol 28 No. 1 Jan 1974 Page 10-13 (Husbandry)
  • A/A Vol 27 No. 4 Apr 1973 Page 52-54 (Parrot history)
  • A/A Vol 27 No. 1 Jan 1973 Page 11 (Neophema family)
  • A/A Vol 26 No. 1 Jan 1972 Page 13 (Nest box design)
  • A/A Vol 22 No. 11 Nov 1968 Page 166-170 (Aviaries at Healesville Sanctuary).
  • A/A Vol 16 No. 5 May 1962 Page 71-76 (Neophemas in England).
  • A/A Vol 16 No. 4 Apr 1962 Page 58-60 (Neophemas in England).
  • A/A Vol 12 No 12 Dec 1958 Page 153-161 (Neophemas).
  • A/A Vol 10 No 5 May 1956 Page 58-59.
  • A/A Vol  9 No 7 Jul 1955 Page 81 (Mixing psittacines).
  • A/A Vol  9 No 6 Jun 1955 Page 68-70 (Mixing psittacines).
  • A/A Vol  6 No 6 Jun 1952 Page 68-69 (Neophemas).
  • A/A Vol  6 No 2 Feb 1952 Page 17-18 (Orange bellied).
  • A/A Vol  5 No 7 Jul 1951 Page 80 (Orange bellied).
  • A/A Vol  4 No 7 Jul 1950 Page 86-87 (Ground Parrot).
  • A/A Vol  3 No 11 Nov 1949 Page 116-118.
  • A/A Vol  2 No 8 Aug 1948 Page 64-65 (Parrot breeding at Ararat, Victoria).
  • A/A Vol  2 No 7 Jul 1948 Page 59 (Neophemas).
  • A/A Vol  2 No 5 May 1948 Page 42-43 (Orange bellied).
  • A/A Vol  2 No 3 Mar 1948 Page 24-25 (Birds of yesteryear,  Still valid in 2005).
  • A/A Vol  2 No 1 Jan 1948 Page 6-7 (South Aust breeding results for 1945).
  • A/A Vol  1 No 12 Dec 1947 (South Aust breeding results for 1945).
  • A/A Vol  1 No 11 Nov 1947 (South Aust breeding results for 1945).
  • A/A Vol  1  No 5 May 1947 (rare parrots).
  • A/A Vol  1 No 4 Apr 1947 (Neophemas).
  • The Bulletin No 29, Apr 1945 Page 7 - 8 (Parakeet breeding results 1944/45).
  • The Bulletin No 29, Apr 1945 Page 2 (Adelaide Zoo).
  • The Bulletin No 28, Feb 1945 Page 6 - 8 (Adelaide Zoo).
  • The Bulletin No 26, Dec 1944 Page 6 - 8 (Experience teaches).
  • The Bulletin No 26, Dec 1944 Page 4 - 5 (The feeding of parrots).
  • The Bulletin No 20, Jun 1944 Page 5 - 7 (Food value of grass seeds).
  • The Bulletin No 20, Jun 1944 Page 2 - 3 (Cultivation of the abnormally coloured).
  • The Bulletin No 18, Apr 1944 Page 7 (Orange bellied parrot).
  • The Bulletin No 16, Jan 1944 Page 6 - 7 (Colour variations of the Ringnecked Parrots).
  • The Bulletin No 16, Jan 1944 Page 3 - 5 (Lyre Birds and birds of the Murray Swamps).
  • The Bulletin No 13, Oct 1943 Page 5 - 6 (Keeping birds in condition).
  • The Bulletin No 13, Oct 1943 Page 3 - 4 (Aviary design).
  • The Bulletin No 12, Sept 1943 Page 4 - 5 (News from the Interior of Aust.).
  • The Bulletin No 11, Aug 1943 Page 3 - 5 (Distribution of parrots).
  • The Bulletin No 10, July 1943 Page 7 - 8 (Catching birds).
  • The Bulletin No 4, Nov 1942 Page 2 (Feeding parrots).
  • Australian Birdkeeper
  • ABK Vol 18 Issue 12. Dec-Jan 2006 Page 741-745 (The social lives of wild parrots)
  • ABK Vol 18 Issue 12. Dec-Jan 2006 Page 733-737 (Enrichment for juvenile parrots)
  • ABK Vol 18 Issue 11. Oct-Nov 2005 Page 665-668 (Beaks for every purpose - R. Low)
  • ABK Vol 18 Issue 10. Aug-Sept 2005 Page 608-611 (Cracking the chemical code behind the red colours of parrots).
  • ABK Vol 17 Issue 4. Aug-Sept 2004 Page 214-218 (Parrots needs and intelligence - R. Low)
  • ABK Vol 17 Issue 1 Feb-Mar 2004 Page 14-18 (Parrot ownership).
  • ABK Vol 16 Issue 8. Apr-May 2003 Page 458-461 (Fledging & Independence times)
  • ABK Vol 16 Issue 7 Feb-Mar 2003 Page 381-384
  • ABK Vol 16 Issue 7 Feb-Mar 2003 Page 402-404
  • ABK Vol 15 Issue 5. Oct-Nov 2002 Page 280-281
  • ABK Vol 15 Issue 4. Aug-Sep 2002 Page 197-201
  • ABK Vol 15 Issue 4. Aug-Sep 2002 Page 220-222
  • ABK Vol 15 Issue 3. Jun-Jul 2002 Page 146-147 (Selecting a parrot - Dr. Doneley).
  • ABK Vol 15 Issue 2. Apr-May 2002 Page 84-86 (Selecting a parrot - Dr. Doneley).
  • ABK Vol 14 Issue 12. Dec-Jan 2002 Page 669-672 (Logs)
  • ABK Vol 11 Issue 3.Jun-July 1998 Page 135-136 (Paradise Parrot)
  • ABK Vol 10 Issue 7. Feb-Mar 1997 Page 318-320 (Aviary design Pt 2) 2)
  • ABK Vol  9 Issue 6. Dec-Jan 1997 Page 272-276 (Aviary Design Part 1)
  • ABK Vol  9 Issue 3. Jun-July 1996 Page 116-117 (Corn & thistles
  • ABK Vol  9 Issue 2. Apr-May 1996 Page 62-65 (Hand raising)
  • ABK Vol  9 Issue 2. Apr-May 1996 Page 66-67
  • ABK Vol  9 Issue 2. Apr-May 1996 Page 69-71 (Mutations, R. Low)
  • ABK Vol  9 Issue 2. Apr-May 1996 Page 86-87 (Nutrition)
  • ABK Vol  8 Issue 11. Oct-Nov 1995 Page 528-530
  • ABK Vol  7 Issue 6. Dec-Jan 1995 Page 294-296 (Paradise Parrot)
  • ABK Vol  6 Issue 11. Oct-Nov 1993 Page 530-532 (Native Foods)
  • ABK Vol  6 Issue 8. Apr-May 1993 Page 373-377 (Plantscaping)
  • ABK Vol  5 Issue 6. Dec-Jan 1993 Page 290-296 (As pets)
  • ABK Vol  4 Issue 9. Jun-July 1991 Page 417-420
  • ABK Vol  4 -7. Feb-Mar 1991 Page 311-314 (Scientific approach, R. Low)
  • ABK Vol  2 Issue 12. 1990 Page 478-483 (Suspended Cages)
  • ABK Vol  2 Issue 11. 989 Page 445-448 (Suspended cages)
  • ABK Vol  1 Issue 4. 1988 Page 120-121 (Parrot Nutrition)
  • ABK Vol  1 Issue 4. 1988 Page 124-126 (Aviary Management Part 2)
  • ABK Vol  1 Issue 3. 1988 Page 86-87 (Neophemas)
  • ABK Vol  1 Issue 3. 1988 Page 91-92 (Aviary Management Part 2)
  • ABK Vol  1 Issue 1. 1987 Page 7-10

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