Australian Ringneck

32-36 cm. A widespread complex of interbreeding forms; expect to see birds with intermediate features in regions near the boundaries between races. Pairs, parties; usually near water; feeds on ground and in foliage on seeds, blossoms of eucalypts, acacias, mistletoes, eremophilas, grevilleas. Flies strongly with strident calls, head raised, with marked undulations and exaggerated, deep wingstrokes.

1. Race zonarius, Port Lincoln Parrot or Ringneck.

Robust, dark green parrot with blackish head, yellow rear collar and yellow breast. Immature: has browner head, imm. female shows pale wingstripe in flight.

2. Race semitorquatus, Twenty-eight Parrot.

Like nominate race but larger, darker; underparts green; small red mark above bill.

3. Race barnardi Eastern or Mallee Ringneck.

Brilliant blue-green head/body and 'shoulders' contrast with dark blue-grey mantle, especially in flight. Note red forehead, yellow rear collar, orange-yellow breast patch. Female: duller; back grey-green. Immature: brownish above. Eastern-Port Lincoln hybrids in Flinders Ras. (SA) have brownish heads, green backs.

4. Race macgillivrayi Cloncurry Ringneck.

As for Eastern but smaller, paler blue-green upperparts; more yellow in underparts; lacks red in forehead.