Superb Parrot

The Superb Parrot is a graceful, long-tailed parrot restricted to inland woodlands of southeastern Australia, particularly the Riverina region of New South Wales and parts of northern Victoria. It is named for its striking coloring, especially in adult males.

Both sexes are predominantly bright grass-green with a long, tapering tail. Adult males have a vivid yellow face and throat crossed by a narrow scarlet band across the upper breast; females and immatures are duller green overall, lacking the yellow face and red band.

Plumage

• Body bright green overall
• Male: yellow face and throat with a narrow red band on the upper breast
• Female/immature: plain green face, no red band
• Long, slender green tail

Key field marks

• Slim, green parrot with a long tail
• Adult male: yellow face and throat with a thin red crescent across the breast
• Female: uniform green head, lacking yellow or red
• Fast, agile flight, often in small flocks calling as they pass overhead

Similar species

Female and immature Superb Parrots can resemble female Regal Parrots or other green Polytelis, but range helps: Superb Parrots are confined to the Riverina and nearby woodlands, while Regal Parrots occur further west. The male's yellow face and red throat band are diagnostic wherever the species occurs.

Range

The Superb Parrot is largely restricted to the Riverina district of southern New South Wales, with additional populations extending into the Australian Capital Territory region and northern Victoria.

Habitat

It depends heavily on box-gum grassy woodland and river red gum forest along inland rivers for both nesting and feeding. Much of this woodland habitat has been cleared for agriculture, making remaining patches critical to the species. Birds move seasonally between breeding woodlands and more open feeding country.

Behavior

Superb Parrots are typically seen in pairs or small flocks, flying with fast, level wingbeats and calling frequently in flight. They often feed quietly in the canopy or on the ground beneath seeding grasses and crops.

Voice

The flight call is a rolling, rippling series of notes, distinctive and often the first clue to the species' presence overhead.

Feeding

They feed on seeds of grasses, herbs, and cultivated crops, as well as blossoms, buds, and occasional insects, foraging both in trees and on the ground.

Nesting

Superb Parrots nest colonially in loose aggregations of tree hollows, almost always in old river red gums, laying around 4-6 eggs per clutch.