Polytelis alexandrae
The Princess Parrot, or Alexandra's Parrot, is an elegant and highly nomadic species endemic to the arid interior of Australia. Measuring approximately 40-46 cm in length, including its exceptionally long tail streamers, and weighing between 110-120 grams, this slender parrot is immediately recognizable by its soft, pastel plumage. Males display a brilliant blue crown, a delicate pink throat, and vibrant olive-green body feathers, contrasted by bright green wings with a prominent yellow shoul...
Found in arid and semi-arid scrublands, primarily mulga and acacia woodlands, spinifex grasslands, and shrublands, often near ephemeral watercourses at low elevations.
Primarily granivorous, feeding on a variety of seeds, particularly those from spinifex, acacia, and various grasses. They also consume flowers, nectar, and occasionally insect larvae, foraging mainly on the ground and in shrubs.
Princess Parrots are diurnal, often foraging during the cooler parts of the day and roosting in trees, frequently near water sources. Their foraging strategy is highly nomadic, driven by the availability of seeds, with individuals often seen on the ground or clambering through spinifex and acacia...
The Princess Parrot is endemic to the vast arid and semi-arid interior of Australia, predominantly found across Western Australia, the Northern Territory, northern South Australia, and the far western parts of Queensland. Its distribution is highly nomadic and irruptive, with movements dictated b...
Least Concern
- The Princess Parrot was named in 1863 after Princess Alexandra of Denmark, later Queen Alexandra of the United Kingdom. - It is one of Australia's most nomadic parrots, with its movements closely tied to unpredictable rainfall patterns in the arid interior. - Males possess significantly longer ...