The Parrots of Western Australia
Baudin’s Black Cockatoo
In the Southwest, we are spoiled rotten with colour and endemism. It's well known that we are lucky to call this corner of Western Australia an international biodiversity hotspot. Most of the contributors to that claim to fame are the plants. They come from all colours of the rainbow in all shapes and sizes, forms and habits. Replicating and mirroring that is the Southwest's birdlife.
We of course have bright blue Splendid Fairywrens, reds and oranges from Scarlet and Red-capped Robins and Western Spinebills and yellows from Golden Whistlers and Western Yellow Robins. But, the majority of the colour comes from our Parrots. This corner of Western Australia has five endemic parrots and a few more we call near-endemics or specialties.
A show-stopping Southwest endemic.
Red-capped Parrot
Up there with the most showy are Red-capped Parrots. Unique in their physiology and habits represented by their sole membership of the genus Purpureicephalus, they are also unique in their colour scheme. Their lilac or purple breasts contrasting with bright yellows, reds and greens is stunning and truly unique when compared with their oversized upper mandible and laser-like call. They can be difficult to situate for a clean photograph that shows their full aesthetics but the effort is always worth it.
At the other end of the Southwest endemic parrot colour spectrum are Western Corellas. Plain white for the most part. But it's the details that provide beauty and hue for these range-restricted cockatoos. Powder blue's surrounding those curious eyes and pinky, reds exacerbating that ridiculous looking lengthy bill. Sometimes a challenge to photograph as they scream from shady perches, though very entertaining to spend time with as they preen each other and fill the soundscape with chatter and exclamations.
Somewhere in-between despite being almost devoid of colour are Baudin's and Carnaby's Black Cockatoo. They are traditional in appealing colour schemes - deep blacks contrasting with crisp whites. The males of both species give themselves away with pink orbital rings and sometimes reddy-brown or powdery yellows show through in young or worn plumage but that is as far as their colour spectrum goes. Despite this, they are always a sight to behold. Filling the skies as much as they can with their dramatically reduced numbers and doing their best to compensate with loud wailing calls.
Western Rosellas fill in the endemic parrots list with traditional Australian parrot colour schemes. Bright eye-popping reds and greens accented with pure yellows and varied blues. For a small rosella, they pack their plumage with different tones. This is especially true in the mottled female and immature profiles which seem to sometimes show a whole spectrum of colour on one tiny feather. Getting a photo of these birds in great light is something that is definitely worth visiting the Southwest for.
You can visit the rest of WA with Birding Southwest for more parrots too. A little further afield in Western Australia to the east or north and you can truly fill in that parrot list. Naretha Bluebonnets, Scarlet-chested Parrots and Princess Parrots are difficult to find anywhere but can all be found on Birding Southwest trips. Northern Rosellas, Varied Lorikeets, Red-collared Lorikeets, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and Red-winged Parrots if you join in on a trip to the Kimberley. Budgerigars, Cockatiels, Bourke's Parrot and Mulga Parrots on a trip through the midewest and up to the Pilbara.
Of course, the list goes on down here in the Southwest corner of Western Australia too. Our endemic Australian Ringneck subspecies, the 28, another endemic subspecies, the Forest Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Western Ground Parrots. Local specialties of the Southwest - Purple-crowned lorikeets, Regent Parrots, Elegant and Rock Parrots. Even the introduced and range expanded Rainbow Lorikeets, Little and Long-billed Corellas. Australia is packed with Parrots and not only is the Southwest no exception but a must visit destination for parrot fanatics!
Rainbow Lorikeets
From the Kimberley, through to the Pilbara and down into the Southwest - Western Australia has it all (and ALOT of parrots!). Why not come and visit with Western Australia’s local birding guides making the most of your trip to Australia.
If you’d like to come on a guided birdwatching tour to Western Australia, get in touch or check out our upcoming trips!
