Turquoise Parrot

About

The Turquoise Parrot is a small, vibrantly colored parrot native to southeastern Australia. Known for its striking turquoise and green plumage, it is often found in open woodlands and grasslands. It is a ground-feeding species, typically seen in pairs or small flocks.

Size & lifespan

Length

20-23 cm

Wingspan

32-34 cm

Weight

40-50 g

Lifespan

Up to 10-15 years in the wild, longer in captivity

Diet

Herbivore (granivore/frugivore)

Physical characteristics

Plumage

Males are predominantly bright green on the back, wings, and upper tail, with a brilliant turquoise-blue face and crown extending to behind the eye. They have a prominent red patch on the shoulder (carpal joint) and a yellow belly, often with an orange wash on the flanks. The flight feathers are dark blue. Females are duller, with a paler blue face and crown, lacking the red shoulder patch, and having a more yellowish-green body. Juveniles resemble females but are even duller, with less extensive blue on the face and a brownish-orange bill.

Beak shape

Small, conical, and greyish-black in males, brownish-orange in juveniles and often paler in females.

Eye color

Dark brown

Leg color

Greyish-brown

Distinguishing features

The combination of turquoise-blue face, red shoulder patch (male), and yellow belly is distinctive. Its small size and ground-feeding habits also aid identification.

Juvenile appearance

Juveniles are similar to females but duller overall, with less blue on the face and a brownish-orange bill that darkens with age. The red shoulder patch is absent in juvenile males, developing with maturity.

Seasonal changes

No significant seasonal plumage changes. Plumage remains consistent throughout the year, though colors may appear brighter after a molt.

Sexual dimorphism

Pronounced. Males have a bright turquoise face and crown, a prominent red shoulder patch, and more intense yellow on the belly. Females have a paler blue face, lack the red shoulder patch, and are generally duller green and yellow.

How to identify

1. 1

   Plumage (Male)

   Look for the bright turquoise-blue face and crown, contrasting with a green back and wings, and a distinctive red patch on the shoulder. The belly is yellow, often with an orange wash.

2. 2

   Plumage (Female)

   Observe the paler blue on the face and crown, the absence of the red shoulder patch, and a generally duller yellowish-green body.

3. 3

   Behavior

   Watch for small parrots feeding quietly on the ground in open woodlands or grassy areas. They are often shy and will flush quickly if approached.

4. 4

   Call

   Listen for their soft, high-pitched 'ssit-ssit' contact call, especially when they are in flight or disturbed.

Habitat & range

Biomes

Temperate forests, grasslands, shrublands

Geographic range

Southeastern Australia, primarily from southeastern Queensland through New South Wales to northeastern Victoria.

Elevation range

Sea level up to approximately 1200 meters

Preferred environments

Open eucalypt woodlands, mallee, acacia scrub, grassy plains, and often found in areas with scattered trees and shrubs, particularly near watercourses. They adapt well to modified landscapes such as farmland with remnant vegetation and orchards.

Behavior

Activity time

Diurnal, most active during early morning and late afternoon, resting during the hottest parts of the day.

Feeding habits

Primarily ground-feeders, foraging on seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants, especially native grasses. They also consume flowers, nectar, fruits, and occasionally insects and their larvae. They are often seen feeding quietly among grass tussocks.

Social behavior

Typically seen in pairs or small family groups. Outside the breeding season, they may form larger flocks, sometimes numbering up to 50 individuals, especially at favored feeding or watering sites. They are generally shy and inconspicuous.

Flight pattern

Swift and direct, often low to the ground, with rapid wing beats. They can be quite agile when maneuvering through trees.

Migration pattern

Mostly resident or locally nomadic, undertaking short-distance movements in response to food availability or seasonal conditions. They are not considered migratory.

Territoriality

During the breeding season, pairs will defend their nesting hollow and immediate foraging area. Outside of breeding, they are less territorial and more tolerant of other individuals.

Breeding & reproduction

Breeding season

Typically August to December, but can extend into January or February depending on rainfall and food availability.

Nesting habits

Nests in hollows of dead or living eucalypt trees, often at a height of 1-5 meters. They prefer small hollows in stumps or branches. The nest hollow is unlined, or sparsely lined with wood dust.

Clutch size

4-6 eggs, occasionally 3 or 7.

Egg description

White, elliptical, smooth, and slightly glossy. Approximately 20-22 mm long and 17-18 mm wide.

Incubation period

Approximately 18-20 days, primarily by the female.

Fledging period

Chicks fledge around 28-30 days after hatching. They remain dependent on parents for a short period after leaving the nest.

Parental care

The female incubates the eggs and is fed by the male. Both parents feed the nestlings, with the male taking a more active role in provisioning as the chicks grow.

Where to find

Field tips

1. Early Morning/Late Afternoon. These are the most active feeding times. They can be difficult to spot during the middle of the day when they often rest in the shade of trees.
2. Scan the Ground. As ground-feeders, they are best located by carefully scanning grassy areas, especially where seeds are abundant.
3. Listen for Calls. Their soft contact calls can sometimes give away their presence before they are seen.
4. Patience and Stealth. They are shy birds. Approach quietly and use binoculars to observe them from a distance to avoid flushing them.

Similar species

Quick facts

Diet:

Seeds of grasses and herbaceous plants

Habitat:

Open eucalypt woodlands, grassy plains

Sociality:

Pairs or small flocks

Nesting:

Tree hollows

Conservation Status:

Least Concern

Fun facts

• The Turquoise Parrot was once considered rare and endangered, but its population has recovered significantly due to habitat protection and possibly adaptation to modified landscapes.
• Unlike many parrots, they are relatively quiet and inconspicuous, often blending into their grassy surroundings while feeding.
• They are popular aviary birds due to their beautiful plumage and docile nature, leading to many color mutations in captivity.

Scientific classification

Kingdom

Animalia

Phylum

Chordata

Class

Aves

Order

Psittaciformes

Family

Psittaculidae

Genus

Neophema

Species

Neophema pulchella

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