Australian King-parrot
Alisterus scapularis
Visual Identification
Appearance
The Australian King-parrot is a striking medium-sized parrot with vibrant plumage. Males display a brilliant scarlet head, breast, and underparts, contrasting sharply with their bright green back, wings, and tail. A blue band on the nape adds a distinctive touch.
Females are less vibrant and differ markedly, with a predominantly green body and red belly. Both sexes have a large, curved red bill and grey legs. Juveniles resemble females but have a brown beak that gradually turns red as they mature.
Size
Length
40cm to 43cm
Wingspan
50cm to 55cm
Weight
200g to 330g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
Australian King-parrots inhabit the coastal and eastern ranges of Australia, from northern Queensland to eastern Victoria. They thrive in humid and sub-humid forests, including rainforests, wet sclerophyll forests, and eucalyptus woodlands.
While primarily found in forested areas, these parrots have adapted to some urban environments, often visiting parks and gardens in suburban areas along Australia's east coast. They do not migrate but may make local movements in response to food availability.
Elevation Range
Sea level to 1,620 meters
Climate zones
Subtropical, Temperate
Distribution Map
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Australian King-parrot. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons