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Australian Ringneck

(Barnardius zonarius)
Alternative 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"
Size: 34-38 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

The distribution of Australian Ringneck parrots across Australia is complex - for details see a field guide. Nominate race "zonarius" is found in the western two-thirds of WA (with the exception of the south-western tip), the north-western and southern part of SA and most of the southern part of the NT. On the south-western tip of WA race "semitorquatus" is found. In the Flinders and Gammon Ranges (SA) race "zonarius" hybridises with race "barnardi" (Mallee Ringneck), which is found in the eastern quarter of SA, inland NSW and the south-western corner of QLD. Race "macgillivrayi" is found in a small area with a diameter of about a hundred km around Mount Isa, QLD.

All races, except "semitorquatus" (which prefer tall, wet forest), can usually be found in mallee-type or other dry woodland. When seeds are available, e.g. of White Cedars, they can also be found in urban habitats, such as parks and gardens.

Sightings

The only species of Australian Ringnecks found in northern NSW is subspecies "barnardi", the "Mallee Ringneck Parrot". Although, according to field guides, located right on the edge of their habitat, Australian Ringnecks are permanent residents in the Narrabri area.

Seen regularly, on an almost daily basis, 20 km south of Narrabri in the years 2003-2006. The fact that they are near the edge of their habitat is corroborated by our observation that they are found much less frequently 20 km east of Narrabri, where we have seen them only a few times since 2007. A pair was spotted by us in August 2011.

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

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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

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

Lateral view of an immature Australian Ringneck in the Flinders Range

Race "barnardi"

Frontal view of a male Mallee Ringneck parrot

Frontal view of two male Mallee Ringneck parrots on a power line - left: , right:

Lateral view of a male Mallee Ringneck parrot drinking from a water bowl

Portrait of a female Mallee Ringneck parrot

Lateral view of a female Mallee Ringneck parrot

Dorsal view of a female Mallee Ringneck parrot feeding on seeds from the ground

Oops, I think there's something seriously wrong here!

Oi mate, I think I'm Jesus - I can walk on water!

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial Mobility: Sedentary Elementary unit: Pair

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 noxious Spiny Burrgrass seeds makes them our best friends.

As part of the preparations for breeding, female Australian Ringnecks will expect to be fed by their partners, because the females take on the incubation duties. This is shown in the photos below.

Pair of Mallee Ringnecks on our lawn; the male is seen at the back; the female is darker and more inconspicuously coloured

After regurgitating pre-digested seeds, he feeds her

Food

Like many parrots, Australian Ringnecks are primarily seed-eaters; they feed mostly on grass seeds, but the seeds can also be as large as the fruit of White Cedar trees. Their diet includes the seeds of the noxious weed "Spiny burrgrass" (see photo below).

Mallee Ringneck parrot picking off the seeds of the noxious weed "Spiny Burrgrass"

Here a pair that likes one of the succulent plants in our garden