Neophema Parrots :

This page is for the Neophema Parrots. I have photographed all 6 species plus the Bourke’s Parrot which was in the Neophema genus but was recently re-classified into its own genus.

Overview

  • Genus: Neophema

  • Origin: Australia

  • Size: Small — typically 19–24 cm in length.

  • Habitat: Grasslands, scrublands, open woodlands, coastal heathlands and arid desert.

The 7 Species

  • Bourke's Parrot(Neopsephotus bourkii) — soft pink and brown tones; often grouped with Neophema. Previously Neophema Bourkii.

  • Turquoise Parrot(N. pulchella) — striking turquoise-blue face and wings.

  • Scarlet-chested Parrot(Neophema splendida) — vivid scarlet breast; one of Australia's most colourful. Rarely seen desert nomad.

  • Blue-winged Parrot(N. chrysostoma) — olive-green body with blue wing patches.

  • Elegant Parrot(N. elegans) — yellow-olive with blue facial markings

  • Rock Parrot(N. petrophila) — dull olive-green; coastal and island dweller.

  • Orange-bellied Parrot(N. chrysogaster) — critically endangered; bright orange belly patch.

Bourke’s Parrot

I took this photo north of Cue WA at a cattle watering bore. These parrots are common in their range but hard to spot. They are desert mulga dwellers.

Turquoise Parrot

This photo was taken in a local town park in Wangaratta Victoria.

Scarlet Chested Parrot

Scarlets are desert nomads and rarely seen. This pair was at a permanent rock hole east of Laverton WA. I had seen Bourke’s and Mulga Parrots earlier that morning and was not expecting them at the rock hole where I had set up a tent hide. They came into drink and were gone in less that a minute after they were scared off by Cockatiels overhead circling, wanting to drink.

Blue Winged Parrot

On my trip to Victoria looking for Orange Bellied Parrots, I was surprised by this pair that landed ten metres in front of me, overlooking Lake Connewarre.

Elegant Parrot

This shot was taken on the beach in Albany in front of the Emu Point golf course. This group are often mistaken for Rock Parrots that are beach feeders. Elegant Parrots are normally a forest bird. This group have adapted to feeding on the golf course and beach dune cabbage.

Rock Parrot

Rock parrots, I found hard to find. I found this group of about nine birds in Hamlin Bay SW WA. They nest on Hamlin Island and feed on the beach on dune cabbage in front of the caravan park. I was disappointed a year later to find that beach and the dune cabbage destroyed by people in their 4WDs. 

My Prize Photo

Orange Bellied Parrot

Estimates put their numbers at less than 100 birds. They are on the verge of extinction.
On the forth day looking for them, I took this shot near Queenscliff Victoria.
There were several in the group feeding on grass lawn in a park next to the beach before I accidently scared them into bushes a few metres away.