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Red-winged ParrotAlternative names: "Crimson-winged Parrot", "Red-winged Lory" Aboriginal name: "billai" Size: 31-32 cm |
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Habitat |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
Red-winged Parrots live in the tropical north of Australia, from the Kimberleys in WA via the top end of the NT, along the south end of the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York, and most of QLD, plus the northern interior of NSW. After substantial inland rainfall they may venture further inland, into the border region of QLD, NSW, SA and the NT (e.g. Innamincka National Park). They are not found anywhere else on the Australian continent or Tasmania.
Red-winged Parrots can usually be found in open woodland and forests, in semi-arid to subtropical environments. When fruit or seeds are available they will also enter urban parks and gardens.
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Sightings |
Red-winged Parrots are much shier than Australian King-Parrots, which makes them harder to observe, except while in flight, when they often make themselves noticed with their piercing calls.
Like Australian King-Parrots they like White Cedar fruit, but are not so exclusively specialised on this diet during the winter months.
Seen by us on a trip from Narrabri to outback NSW and South Australia in March 2008 only out towards Bourke and Cobar, but not further west. In October 2010 again spotted 30 km west of Burren Junction, NSW.
L. Tonnochy reports sightings 20 km north of Townsville, QLD, in January 2011.
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Additional information |
There is a separate page showing a pair of Red-winged Parrots taking a bath.
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Photos |
Not the photos you want? Or are you after even better quality? Have a look here.
Lateral view of a (probably young) male Red-winged Parrot
Dorsal view of a male Red-winged Parrot, showing its near-black mantle
Dorsal view of a pair of Red-winged Parrots, both showing their
blue rumps, while the male also spreads its wing, displaying the
whole variety of their colours (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
Frontal view of a female Red-winged Parrot
Near-frontal view of the same bird as shown above
Close-up lateral view of a female Red-winged Parrot
feasting on fruit
Lateral view of a female Red-winged Parrot eating
White Cedar nuts from the ground while they are soft,
because wet after a rain shower
Here a female stretching one of its wings (photo courtesy of
R. Druce)
Dorsal view of a female Red-winged Parrot, exhibiting the light orange tips of the tail feathers
This female, seen by us over a period of weeks in spring
2011, has some peculiar light-green feathers on its wings,
the likes of which we have not seen on any other Red-winged
Parrot
Lateral view of an immature, probably male, Red-winged Parrot;
photo courtesy of L. Tonnochy
Three immature Red-winged Parrots
Australian
King-Parrots, left, with a family of Red-winged Parrots, right
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Behaviour |
| Social behaviour: Communal | Mobility: Dispersive | Elementary unit: Pair/small flock |
Red-winged Parrots are usually seen only in small numbers, in groups of up to 4 or 5 birds (probably families). However, during the mating season of 2010 seen by us in a small flock of about 20 birds (see photo below).
Flock of Red-winged Parrots; this is about half the number
of birds seen at the time
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Food |
Like many other parrots, Red-winged Parrots feed on seeds, but they take fruit and nectar too.
The culinary preferences of Red-winged Parrots differ significantly from those of the outwardly similar Australian King-Parrots. Although both species share their liking for White Cedar fruit, Red-winged Parrots prefer figs and other (cactus) fruit (rather than apricots). Red-winged Parrots were also observed by us once taking seeds of Acacia salicina.
Male Red-winged Parrot (front) and a female bird (back) eating one of their favourite fruits in the orchard
This female seemed to be interested in the buds of one of our
eucalypts
