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12

Australian Ringneck (Barnardius zonarius) Alternate name(s): Race "zonarius": "Port Lincoln Parrot"; race "semitorquatus": "Twenty-eight Parrot"; race "barnardi": "Mallee Ringneck", "Mallee Parrot", "Barnard's Parakeet"; race "macgillivrayi": "Cloncurry Ringneck" Aboriginal name(s): Race "zonarius"/"semitorquatus": "ulbaja", "dowarn", "doomolok"; race "barnardi": "bulla-bulla", "bulun bulun" [gamilaraay, yuwaalaraay] Size: 34-38 cm Weight: 100-200 g

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Similar species

Description     Classification     Distribution     Sightings     Photos     Breeding     Nest     Eggs     Behaviour     Food     Call/s

Physical description Click here for a physical description Australian Ringnecks are medium-sized parrots. There are several races with different plumages (for details see a field guide). The common features are that all races are mostly green, with green upperwings that have faint shoulder patches and a blue leading edge, and a light-blue undertail. All races have a yellow band across the nape of the neck. The bills of all races are grey, the irises dark and the legs and feet grey. Some races ("macgillivrayi" and "barnardi") have a green head, while others ("semitorquatus" and "zonarius") have a black head. Some races ("macgillivrayi" and "zonarius") have a yellow belly, while others ("semitorquatus" and "barnardi") have a green belly. Races "barnardi" and "semitorquatus" have a red frons, others don't.

Taxonomy, classification See Australian Ringneck at Wikipedia .

Range, habitat, finding this species Click here for information on habitat and range The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found, based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to ebird.org . The global distribution of the Australian Ringneck is available HERE . Australian Ringneck parrots are endemic to Australia. The distribution of Australian Ringneck parrots across Australia is complex - for details see a field guide. Nominate race "zonarius" is found in the western two-thirds of WA (with the exception of the south-western tip), the north-western and southern part of SA and most of the southern part of the NT. On the south-western tip of WA race "semitorquatus" is found. In the Flinders and Gammon Ranges, SA, race "zonarius" hybridises with race "barnardi" (the "Mallee Ringneck"), which is found in the eastern quarter of SA, inland NSW and the south-western corner of QLD. Race "macgillivrayi" is found only in a small area with a diameter of about a few hundred km around Mount Isa, QLD. All races, except "semitorquatus" (which prefer tall, wet forest), can usually be found in mallee-type or other dry woodland or scrub. When seeds are available, e.g. of White Cedars, they can also be found in urban environments, such as parks and gardens.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Race "zonarius" ("Port Lincoln Parrot") J. Greaves reports spotting two races, "zonarius" and "semitorquatus", at Mundaring, 35 km East of Perth, WA, in December 2014. Race "zonarius" was also spotted at Boolardy Station, Murchison, WA, in August 2016. We have seen Australian Ringnecks, nominate race "zonarius" ("Port Lincoln Parrot"), in the Flinders Ranges, SA, in July 2009. D. Wilczynska reports finding Australian Ringnecks, race "zonarius", at Uluru, NT, in March 2015. B. Hensen reports finding Australian Ringnecks, race "zonarius", at the Botanical Gardens, Alice Springs, NT, in July 2018. V. Collins report spotting Australian Ringnecks, race "zonarius", in Tingle Forest, Denmark, WA, in January 2017. In September 2022, C. Pears found Australian Ringnecks, race "zonarius", at Mellenbye Station, ca. 50 km NE of Morawa, WA. M. Eaton spotted Australian Ringnecks, race "zonarius", in the township of Alice Springs, NT, in October 2022. Race "semitorquatus" ("Twenty-eight Parrot") C. Pears reports spotting Australian Ringnecks, race "semitorquatus", regularly at Quindalup, WA. Austalian Ringnecks, race "semitorquatus", were found by J. Greaves in Albany, WA, in January 2015, at Margaret River and Manjimup, WA, in March 2015, and at Gnoocardup, WA, in December 2016. M. Eaton reports finding Australian Ringnecks, race "semitorquatus", at Triandra Reserve, Cockburn, WA, and at Margaret River, WA, in April 2019. Race "barnardi" ("Mallee Ringneck") The only race of Australian Ringnecks found in northern NSW is race "barnardi", the "Mallee Ringneck" parrot. Although, according to field guides, located right on the edge of their range, Australian Ringnecks are permanent residents in the Narrabri area. We find them regularly in various parts of the Pilliga scrub. Mallee Ringnecks were seen by us regularly, on an almost daily basis, 20 km South of Narrabri, in the years 2003-2006. Since 2007 we also see them occasionally at Eulah Creek, 20 km East of Narrabri, where they usually appear in autumn/winter. C. Hayne reports that Mallee Ringnecks are found regularly around Moree, NSW. We have seen Australian Ringnecks, race "barnardi", in the Flinders Ranges, SA. This area is a transition zone between races "barnardi" and "zonarius", with a variety of colours present (see photos below). M. Eaton reports finding Mallee Ringnecks at Bowra Station, near Cunnamulla, QLD, in September 2017. R. Plumtree reports spotting Mallee Ringnecks between Berri and Renmark, SA, in September 2018. T. Spencer reports finding a pair of Mallee Ringnecks in Cobar, NSW, in May 2019. M. Eaton spotted Mallee Ringnecks at Monarto Conservation Park, near Murray Bridge, SA, in April 2022, and in Bourke, NSW, in June 2022. Race "macgillivrayi" ("Cloncurry Ringneck") We have not seen Australian Ringnecks, race "macgillivrayi", in nature yet. The photos by M. Eaton shown below were taken in captivity.

Photos

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Race "zonarius"

This race is also called "Port Lincoln Parrot".

ADULT

MALE

Near-lateral view of an Australian Ringneck looking towards the observer; the all-black head suggests that this bird is a male (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Botanical Gardens, Alice Springs, NT, July 2018]

Near-lateral view of an Australian Ringneck; the all-black head suggests that this bird is a male (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Botanical Gardens, Alice Springs, NT, July 2018]

Lateral view of a male Australian Ringneck (photo courtesy of B. Hensen)
[Botanical Gardens, Alice Springs, NT, July 2018]

FEMALE

Near-frontal view of an Australian Ringneck - the brownish black head suggests that this is a female
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Alice Springs, NT, October 2022]

Near-frontal view of a female Australian Ringneck looking sideways (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Alice Springs, NT, October 2022]

Lateral view of a female Australian Ringneck (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Alice Springs, NT, October 2022]

Lateral view of a female Australian Ringneck feeding on flower petals (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Alice Springs, NT, October 2022]

Sex unknown

Near-frontal view of an Australian Ringneck, pure race "zonarius" (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Uluru, NT, March 2015]

Near-lateral view of an Australian Ringneck (photo courtesy of D. Wilczynska)
[Uluru, NT, March 2015]

Note that, despite their red frontal bands, the birds shown below are not race "semitorquatus" (whose underparts are all green). The red frontal band is part of a mix with race "semitorquatus".

Frontal portrait of an Australian Ringneck, race "zonarius", with some indication (the red patch) of hybridization with "semitorquatus" (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Mundaring, 35 km E of Perth, WA, December 2014]

Near-frontal view of an Australian Ringneck, race "zonarius", with some indication (the red patch) of hybridization with "semitorquatus" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Triandra Reserve, Cockburn, WA, April 2019]

Lateral view of an Australian Ringneck, race "zonarius", with some indication of hybridization with "semitorquatus" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Triandra Reserve, Cockburn, WA, April 2019]

Near-dorsal view of an Australian Ringneck, race "zonarius", with some indication (the red patch) of hybridization with "semitorquatus" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Triandra Reserve, Cockburn, WA, April 2019]

Note that, despite their red frontal bands, the birds shown below are not race "semitorquatus" (whose underparts are all green). The red frontal band is part of the mix with race "barnardi".

Lateral portrait of an Australian Ringneck "zonarius"
[Near Flinders Ranges NP, SA, March 2008]

Australian Ringnecks drinking water from a leaking tank; the bird on the right does not have a red frontal band, indicating a strong heritage from the "zonarius" side of the family, whereas the bird on the left has colours more typical of race "barnardi", as shown below
[Near Flinders Ranges NP, SA, March 2008]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Lateral view of a juvenile Australian Ringneck
[Near Flinders Ranges NP, SA, March 2008]

Race "semitorquatus"

This race is also called "Twenty-eight Parrot".

ADULT

Sex unknown

Close-up full-frontal portrait of an Australian Ringneck, race "semitorquatus", with a contribution of "zonarius", as shown in the yellow belly (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Gnoocardup, WA, December 2016]

Full-frontal view of an Australian Ringneck, race "semitorquatus", on a lawn (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Quindalup, WA, August 2022]

Frontal/ventral view of a snoozing Australian Ringneck, race "semitorquatus" (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Mundaring, 35 km E of Perth, WA, December 2014]

Near-lateral view of an Australian Ringneck, race "semitorquatus" (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Mundaring, 35 km E of Perth, WA, December 2014]

Lateral portrait of an Australian Ringneck, race "semitorquatus" (photo courtesy of J. Greaves)
[Mundaring, 35 km E of Perth, WA, December 2014]

Close-up lateral view of an Australian Ringneck, race "semitorquatus", on a lawn (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Quindalup, WA, August 2022]

Lateral view of an Australian Ringneck, race "semitorquatus" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Margaret River, WA, April 2019]

Lateral view of an Australian Ringneck, race "semitorquatus" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Triandra Reserve, Cockburn, WA, April 2019]

Lateral view of an Australian Ringneck, race "semitorquatus", chomping on eucalypt seeds (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Triandra Reserve, Cockburn, WA, April 2019]

Lateral view of an Australian Ringneck, race "semitorquatus", foraging on the ground (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Quindalup, WA, April 2013]

Lateral view of an Australian Ringneck, race "semitorquatus", foraging on the ground (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Quindalup, WA, April 2013]

Lateral view of 3 Australian Ringnecks, race "semitorquatus", feeding on a lawn (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Quindalup, WA, August 2022]

Near-dorsal view of an Australian Ringneck, race "semitorquatus", feeding on a lawn (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Quindalup, WA, August 2022]

Race "barnardi"

This race is also called "Mallee Ringneck".

ADULT

MALE

Frontal view of a male Mallee Ringneck (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[St. George River Walk, St. George, QLD, June 2022]

Close-up near-frontal view of a young male(?) Mallee Ringneck (photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Merriwindi SCA, near Kenebri, NSW, January 2021]

Near-frontal view of a male Mallee Ringneck parrot
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2011]

Near-frontal/ventral view of a male Mallee Ringneck parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bourke, NSW, June 2022]

Near-lateral/ventral view of two male Mallee Ringneck parrots on a power line ,
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, April 2006]

Near-lateral/ventral view of a male Mallee Ringneck parrot with a pronounced chest band
[Moree, NSW, September 2015]

Lateral view of a male Mallee Ringneck parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Monarto Conservation Park, near Murray Bridge, SA, April 2022]

Lateral view of a male Mallee Ringneck parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Station, near Cunnamulla, QLD, September 2017]

Near-dorsal view of a male Mallee Ringneck parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bourke, NSW, June 2022]

Near-dorsal view of a male Mallee Ringneck parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Monarto Conservation Park, near Murray Bridge, SA, April 2022]

Dorsal view of a male Mallee Ringneck parrot feeding in a black pine
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2015]

FEMALE

Near-lateral view of a female Mallee Ringneck parrot - note the very inconspicuous, if not absent, chest band
(photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Station, near Cunnamulla, QLD, September 2017]

Near-lateral/ventral view of a female Mallee Ringneck parrot - note the very inconspicuous, if not absent, chest band
(photo courtesy of V. Collins)
[Merriwindi SCA, near Kenebri, NSW, January 2021]

Lateral portrait of a female Mallee Ringneck parrot
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, August 2006]

Lateral view of a female Mallee Ringneck parrot
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, 2006]

Near-dorsal view of a female Mallee Ringneck parrot feeding on seeds from the ground
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, August 2006]

Dorsal view of a female Mallee Ringneck parrot with its head turned (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Station, near Cunnamulla, QLD, September 2017]

Dorsal view of a female Mallee Ringneck parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Station, near Cunnamulla, QLD, September 2017]

PAIR

Pair Mallee Ringneck parrots (male on the right, female on the left) nibbling on a succulent plant
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2011]

Oi mate, I think I'm Jesus - I can walk on water!
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, 2006]

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Frontal view of a juvenile Mallee Ringneck parrot feeding on the seeds of an Acacia salicina0 - note the greyish cheeks, the faint breast band and the scaly appearance; this is one of two birds whose calls were recorded on 16 December 2016
[Tiger Bay, Warren, NSW, December 2016]

Near-frontal view of a juvenile Mallee Ringneck parrot; this is the bird whose begging calls were recorded on 4 February 2019
[Eulah Creek, NSW, February 2019]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile Mallee Ringneck parrot feeding on the seeds of an Acacia salicina; this is one of two birds whose calls were recorded on 16 December 2016
[Tiger Bay, Warren, NSW, December 2016]

Adult Mallee Ringneck feeding a dependent juvenile
[Eulah Creek, NSW, February 2019]

Race "barnardi"/"zonarius"

The bird shown below was found by us on the side of a road, about 10 km East of Burren Junction, NSW, in November 2013. Its plumage suggests a mixed heritage of races "zonarius" (e.g. the dark mantle and the yellow belly) and "barnardi" (the red stripe and the light-green breast and cap). Its location (1000 km East of the range of race "zonarius") and behaviour (being easily approachable) suggest that this bird is an aviary escape.

Near-frontal view of an hybrid Australian Ringneck parrot
[Near Burren Junction, NSW, November 2013]

Lateral view of an hybrid Australian Ringneck parrot
[Near Burren Junction, NSW, November 2013]

Dorsal view of an hybrid Australian Ringneck parrot
[Near Burren Junction, NSW, November 2013]

Frontal view of an hybrid Australian Ringneck parrot feeding on the seeds of grasses and weeds by a roadside
[Near Burren Junction, NSW, November 2013]

Near-frontal view of an hybrid Australian Ringneck parrot feeding on the seeds of grasses and weeds by a roadside
[Near Burren Junction, NSW, November 2013]

Lateral view of an hybrid Australian Ringneck parrot feeding on the seeds of grasses and weeds by a roadside
[Near Burren Junction, NSW, November 2013]

Race "macgillivrayi"

This race is also called "Cloncurry Ringneck".

ADULT

MALE

Near-dorsal view of a (probably male) Australian Ringneck, race "macgillivrayi" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)

Dorsal view of a (probably male) Australian Ringneck, race "macgillivrayi" (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Territorial

Mobility: Sedentary

Elementary unit: Pair

Mallee Ringneck parrots are usually seen as pairs, but sometimes come to good food sources in flocks of up to about 10 birds. They like grass seeds, White Cedar fruit and, even more, young shoots of trees and bushes, such as cottonwood and bottlebrush. During their breeding season they make themselves scarce. Around January they reappear to pick off seeds from trees and grass plants. The fact that they also like the noxious Spiny Burrgrass seeds makes them our best friends.

As part of the preparations for breeding, female Australian Ringnecks will expect to be fed by their partners, because the females take on the incubation duties. This is shown in the photos below.

Pair of Mallee Ringnecks - male on the left, female on the right; she is begging him for food...
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2019]

... and he feeds her to prove his mettle; this is a bonding ritual prior to mating
[Eulah Creek, NSW, September 2019]

Food, Diet

Adults: Seeds

Dependents: Regurgitated seeds

Water intake: Daily

Lateral view of an Australian Ringneck peeling seeds out of a pod (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Alice Springs, NT, October 2022]

Lateral view of an Australian Ringneck, race "semitorquatus", feeding on the fresh shoots of a lawn - an Australian Ringneck "lawn shark"... (photo courtesy of C. Pears)
[Quindalup, WA, August 2022]

Mallee Ringneck feeding on filaments and anthers of a eucalypt flower
[Eulah Creek, NSW, June 2022]

Mallee Ringneck feeding on filaments and anthers of a mistletoe flower
[Eulah Creek, NSW, April 2022]

Australian Ringneck, race "semitorquatus", trying to bite off a mouthful of an eucalypt seed (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Margaret River, WA, April 2019]

Australian Ringneck, race "semitorquatus", trying to bite off a mouthful of an eucalypt seed (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Margaret River, WA, April 2019]

Male Mallee Ringneck parrot chewing on the seed pod of a Cypress pine
[Yarrie Lake, NSW, January 2018]

Female Mallee Ringneck parrot chewing on the seed pod of a Cypress pine
[Yarrie Lake, NSW, January 2018]

Like many parrots, Australian Ringnecks are primarily seed-eaters; they feed mostly on grass seeds, but the seeds can also be as large as the fruit of White Cedar trees. Their diet includes the seeds of the noxious weed "Spiny burrgrass" (see photo below).

Mallee Ringneck parrot picking off the seeds of the noxious weed "Spiny Burrgrass"
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, 2006]

Lateral portrait of a male Mallee Ringneck parrot feasting on juniper fruit (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
[Moree, NSW, November 2013]

Mallee Ringneck enjoying the fruit of an introduced juniper in an urban garden (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)
[Moree, NSW, November 2013]

This female Mallee Ringneck parrot is after the fruit of the noxious "African boxthorn" weed (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)

Lateral view of a Mallee Ringneck parrot drinking from a water bowl
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, May 2006]

Pair of Mallee Ringneck parrots drinking from a water bowl; male on the left, female on the right
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2019]

Oops, I think there's something seriously wrong here!
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, 2006]

Call(s)/Song

For this species we have recorded the following call(s)/song. The interpretation of their meaning is our own; comments and suggestions for improvement are welcome.

mallee_20201014.m4a	barnardi (NW NSW)	Calling partner?	© MD
mallee_20170920.m4a	barnardi (NW NSW)	Calling partner?	© MD
mallee_20230227.mp3	barnardi (NW NSW)	Arrival (pair)	© MD
mallee_20200609.m4a	barnardi (NW NSW)	Warning/departure (+ others in bkgd)	© MD
mallee_20160308.mp3	barnardi (NW NSW)	Various (pair)	© MD
mallee_20170325.m4a	barnardi (NW NSW)	Various (family of 4)	© MD
mallee_20170325_2.m4a	barnardi (NW NSW)	Various (family of 4)	© MD
mallee_20141031.mp3	barnardi (NW NSW)	Begging call	© MD
mallee_20141031_1.mp3	barnardi (NW NSW)	Begging calls	© MD
mallee_20190204.m4a	barnardi (NW NSW)	Begging calls	© MD
mallee_20161216.mp3	barnardi (Ctl NSW)	Immature feeding	© MD
mallee_20161216_2.mp3	barnardi (Ctl NSW)	Immature feeding	© MD
mallee_20140929_2.mp3	barnardi (NW NSW)	?	© MD

More Australian Ringneck sound recordings are available at xeno-canto.org .

These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.

Would you like to contribute photos or sound recordings to this site? If interested, please CLICK HERE. Credits to contributors are given HERE.

Disclaimer: Comments are always welcome. We give no guarantee that the information presented on these pages is always correct or up-to-date. External links are marked as such and we take no responsibility for the contents of external pages. All images on this site are protected by copyright & used by permission of the respective owners. If you wish to reproduce them or any of the material presented on this web site, please contact us: We hereby acknowledge the original custodians of the land which is described on these pages, including the Gomeroi/Gamilaraay people of the North-west Slopes and Plains of NSW, and the traditional owners of other lands and nations within this country. We acknowledge elders past, present and emerging. Sovereignty was never ceded.          Last updated: Wed, 1 March 2023, 0:56 +00:00