Alisterus scapularis
The Australian King Parrot, Alisterus scapularis, is a spectacularly colored medium-sized parrot endemic to eastern Australia, renowned for its striking sexual dimorphism. Males are instantly recognizable by their brilliant scarlet red head and underparts, contrasted with a vibrant green back and wings, featuring a prominent pale green or blue-green stripe on the wing. They typically measure 42-45 cm (16.5-17.7 inches) from head to tail and weigh between 200-270 grams. Females, while equally ...
This species primarily inhabits wet sclerophyll forests, rainforests, and adjacent tall woodlands, often extending into urban and suburban areas with mature trees and ample vegetation, from sea level up to 1600 meters.
Their diet consists mainly of seeds from eucalypts, acacias, and grasses, as well as fruits, berries, nuts, blossoms, nectar, and occasionally insects and their larvae, primarily foraged arboreally but also terrestrially.
Australian King Parrots are diurnal, with peak activity in the early morning and late afternoon, often seen foraging or flying to and from communal roosting sites in tall eucalypts. They forage both arboreally, meticulously searching for seeds and fruit among foliage, and terrestrially, gleaning ...
The Australian King Parrot is endemic to the humid and semi-humid forests of eastern Australia. Its range extends from the northern tropics of Queensland, following the Great Dividing Range south through New South Wales, and into central and eastern Victoria. While largely resident throughout thi...
Least Concern
- Australian King Parrots exhibit one of the most dramatic forms of sexual dimorphism among parrots, with males having brilliant red heads and females green. - They are known to hang upside down by one foot, using their beak and other foot to manipulate food, showcasing impressive agility. - Unli...