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Australian RingneckAlternative names for race barnardi: "Mallee Ringneck", "Mallee Parrot", "Barnard's Parakeet" Aboriginal names for race barnardi: "bulla-bulla", "bulun bulun" [gamilaraay, yuwaalaraay]; Alternative name for race zonarius: "Port Lincoln Parrot" |
Sightings
Although, according to field guides, located right on the edge of their habitat, Australian Ringnecks are frequent visitors in the Narrabri area. They come to feed on White Cedar fruit and other seeds (including the noxious weed "Spiny burrgrass". The only species of Australian Ringnecks found in this part of New South Wales is subspecies "barnardi", the "Mallee Ringneck" parrot.
Seen less commonly 20 km east of Narrabri since 2007 than 20 km south of Narrabri in the years 2003-2006.
We have seen Australian Ringnecks basically everywhere on a trip westward from Narrabri to outback NSW and South Australia. Towards the Flinders Ranges, South Australia, the nominate subspecies "zonarius" ("Port Lincoln Parrot") was spotted. This area is a transition zone between subspecies "barnardi" and "zonarius", with a variety of colours present (see photos below).
Not the Ringneck you were looking for? Try the Ring-necked Parakeet (Psittacula krameri).
Photos
Race "zonarius"
Note that, despite their red frontal bands, the birds shown below are not race "semitorquatus" (whose underparts are all green). The red frontal band is part of the mix with race "barnardi".
Australian Ringneck "zonarius" portrait (click on image for larger version)
Australian Ringnecks drinking water from a leaking tank; the bird on the right does not have a red frontal band, indicating a strong heritage from the "zonarius" side of the family, whereas the bird on the left has colours more typical of race "barnardi", below (click on image for larger version)
Lateral view of an immature Australian Ringneck in the Flinders Range (click on image for larger version)
Race "barnardi"
Lateral view of a Mallee Ringneck parrot (click on image for larger version)
Mallee Ringneck parrots on a power line (click on images for larger versions)
Female Mallee Ringneck parrot feeding on seeds from the ground (click on image for larger version)
Mallee Ringneck parrot picking off the seeds of the noxious weed "Spiny Burrgrass" (click on image for larger version)
Portrait of a Mallee Ringneck parrot (click on image for larger version)
Oops, I think there's something seriously wrong here! (click on image for larger version)
Oi mate, I think I'm Jesus - I can walk on water! (click on image for larger version)
Habits
Mallee Ringneck Parrots often come in flocks of around 10. They like grass seeds, White Cedar fruit and, even more, young shoots of trees and bushes, such as Cottonwood and Bottlebrush. During their breeding season they make themselves scarce. Around January they reappear to pick off seeds from trees and grassplants. The fact that they also like the obnoxious Spiny Burrgrass seeds makes them our best friends.