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12

Red-winged Parrot (Aprosmictus erythropterus) Alternate name(s): "Crimson-winged Parrot", "Red-winged Lory" Aboriginal name(s): "billai" Size: 31-32 cm Weight: 150-200 g

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

Physical description Click here for a physical description Red-winged Parrots are the medium-sized parrots. Their plumage is dimorphic, i.e. males and females are different. Male Red-winged Parrots have an all light-green head and front (throat, chest, belly and vent). The mantle is black, the rump is blue and the uppertail coverts are light-green. Their most prominent feature is a wide scarlet-red shoulder patch on the wings. The flight feathers are dark-green. Males have an orange bill. Female Red-winged Parrots are almost all-green, except for a narrow red shoulder patch on the wings. The flight feathers are darker green than the rest of the body. Their bill is greyish-orange. Both sexes have orange irises. Juveniles resemble females, but have dark irises and a pale bill.

Taxonomy, classification See Red-winged Parrot 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 Red-winged Parrot is available HERE . Red-winged Parrots are found not only in parts of Australia, but also across the Torres Strait in southern New Guinea. In Australia, Red-winged Parrots live in the tropical North, from the Kimberley in WA via the Top End of the NT, along the South end of the Gulf of Carpentaria and Cape York peninsula (as far South as about Mt. Isa, QLD), and most of the rest of QLD (except for the south-western corner of the state), plus the northern interior of NSW. After substantial inland rainfall they may venture further inland, into the border region of QLD, NSW, SA and the NT (e.g. Innamincka NP). They are not found anywhere else on the Australian continent or Tasmania. Red-winged Parrots can usually be found in open woodland and forest, in semi-arid to subtropical environments. When fruit or seeds are available they will also enter urban parks and gardens.

Sightings Click here for sighting information Red-winged Parrots are seen by us infrequently, but regularly, at various locations in and around Narrabri, NSW. They are much shier than Australian King-Parrots, which makes them harder to observe, except while in flight, when they often make themselves noticed with their piercing calls. Red-winged Parrots were seen by us on a trip from Narrabri to outback NSW and South Australia in March 2008 only out towards Bourke, NSW, and Cobar, NSW, but not further West. In October 2010 they were again spotted 30 km West of Burren Junction, NSW. M. Windeyer reports spotting a Red-winged Parrot in Gilgandra, NSW, in August 2010. This location is on the south-western edge of their range. C. Hayne reports that they are also regularly seen around Moree, NSW, but usually not in the township itself. L. Tonnochy reports sightings of Red-winged Parrots 20 km West of Townsville, QLD, in January 2011. J. Greaves reports spotting 20 Red-winged Parrots at Alyangula, Groote Eylandt, NT, in September 2014. They were seen by us, and reported by other contributors, from various other locations in the NT, e.g. the Adelaide River and Pine Creek. M. Eaton reports finding Red-winged Parrots at Bowra Wildlife Reserve, near Cunnamulla, QLD, a location near the western edge of their range, in September 2017. Others were found at Stanage Bay, QLD, in July 2021. Several contributors have reported finding Red-winged Parrots in various locations throughout southern and (near-)coastal QLD. P. Brown reports finding Red-winged Parrots at Lake Argyle, near Kununurra, WA, in April 2018. A. Jonsberg reports that up to 7 Red-winged Parrots are seen in a garden in Darwin, NT, on a daily basis.

Photos

Not the photos you want? Or are you after even better quality? Have a look here .

Additional information

There is a separate page showing a pair of Red-winged Parrots taking a bath.

ADULT

MALE

Full-frontal view of a male Red-winged Parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Durikai SF, near Warwick, QLD, November 2017]

Frontal view of a male Red-winged Parrot holding a seed pod (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Stanage Bay, QLD, July 2021]

Near-frontal view of a male Red-winged Parrot holding a seed pod (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Stanage Bay, QLD, July 2021]

Near-frontal view of a male Red-winged Parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Durikai SF, near Warwick, QLD, November 2017]

Near-lateral view of a male Red-winged Parrot chewing on a seed pod (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Stanage Bay, QLD, July 2021]

Lateral view of a male Red-winged Parrot chewing on a seed pod (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Stanage Bay, QLD, July 2021]

Lateral view of a male Red-winged Parrot visiting a bird bath
[Coonabarabran, NSW, October 2015]

Lateral view onto the upperparts of a male Red-winged Parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Stanage Bay, QLD, July 2021]

Near-dorsal view of a male Red-winged Parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Durikai SF, near Warwick, QLD, November 2017]

Near-dorsal view of a male Red-winged Parrot, with a spectacular display of its colours, including the blueish mantle
(photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Maules Creek, NSW, January 2013]

Dorsal view of a male Red-winged Parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Katherine, NT, July 2020]

Dorsal view of a male Red-winged Parrot, showing its near-black mantle
[Eulah Creek, NSW, December 2006]

FEMALE

Frontal view of a female Red-winged Parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Mount Molloy, QLD, July 2018]

Near-frontal view of a female Red-winged Parrot
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, September 2006]

Near-lateral view of a female Red-winged Parrot
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2011]

Near-lateral view of a female Red-winged Parrot
[Coonabarabran, NSW, October 2015]

Near-lateral view onto the upperparts of a female Red-winged Parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Stanage Bay, QLD, July 2021]

Close-up lateral view of a female Red-winged Parrot feasting on fruit
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, May 2006]

Lateral view of a female Red-winged Parrot eating White Cedar nuts from the ground while they are soft, because wet after a rain shower
[20 km South of Narrabri, NSW, April 2006]

Lateral view of a female Red-winged Parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Stanage Bay, QLD, July 2021]

Lateral view of a female Red-winged Parrot stretching one of its wings (photo courtesy of R. Druce)

Lateral/ventral view of a female Red-winged Parrot; seen by us over a period of weeks in spring 2011, this bird has some peculiar light-green feathers on its wings, the likes of which we have not seen on any other Red-winged Parrot
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2011]

Dorsal view of a female Red-winged Parrot, exhibiting the light orange tips and inner edges of the tail feathers
(photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Maules Creek, NSW, January 2013]

PAIR

Pair of Red-winged Parrots feasting on an introduced Paddy Melon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary, near Cunnamulla, QLD, June 2019]

Lateral view of a pair of Red-winged Parrots drinking water from a bird bath
[Coonabarabran, NSW, October 2015]

Dorsal view of a pair of Red-winged Parrots, both showing their blue rumps, while the male also spreads its wing, displaying the whole variety of their colours (photo courtesy of R. Druce)

IMMATURE/JUVENILE

Frontal view of a juvenile male Red-winged Parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Wildlife Reserve, near Cunnamulla, QLD, September 2017]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile male Red-winged Parrot
[Eulah Creek, NSW, January 2016]

Near-lateral view of a juvenile, probably male, Red-winged Parrot, with a speckled appearance overall, probably moulting (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Maules Creek, NSW, January 2013]

Lateral view of the same Red-winged Parrot as shown above (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Maules Creek, NSW, January 2013]

Close-up lateral view of a juvenile Red-winged Parrot
[Eulah Creek, NSW, January 2023]

Close-up lateral view of a juvenile Red-winged Parrot
[Eulah Creek, NSW, January 2023]

Lateral view of a juvenile male Red-winged Parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Wildlife Reserve, near Cunnamulla, QLD, September 2017]

Dorsal view of a juvenile, probably male, Red-winged Parrot
[Eulah Creek, NSW, January 2016]

Near-lateral view of two immature Red-winged Parrots; the bird in the upper right is probably a male, the other a female
[Eulah Creek, NSW, January 2016]

Lateral view of a juvenile, probably male, Red-winged Parrot (photo courtesy of L. Tonnochy)
[Near Townsville, QLD, January 2011]

Close-up near-lateral view of a juvenile, probably female, Red-winged Parrot
[Eulah Creek, NSW, January 2016]

Near-dorsal view of a juvenile female Red-winged Parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Wildlife Reserve, near Cunnamulla, QLD, September 2017]

Dorsal view of a juvenile female Red-winged Parrot (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Wildlife Reserve, near Cunnamulla, QLD, September 2017]

Frontal view of a very young Red-winged Parrot (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Maules Creek, NSW, January 2013]

No offense intended - in this frontal shot one can see a young Red-winged Parrot's tongue, an important tool to help peeling seeds (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Maules Creek, NSW, January 2013]

Lateral portrait of a young Red-winged Parrot (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Maules Creek, NSW, January 2013]

This immature Red-winged Parrot demonstrates its non-passerine foothold (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Maules Creek, NSW, January 2013]

Family of Red-winged Parrots with a juvenile bird displaying its underwing pattern (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Maules Creek, NSW, January 2013]

Three juvenile Red-winged Parrots approaching a small pond
[Eulah Creek, NSW, May 2008]

Male Red-winged Parrot with a begging juvenile (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Mount Molloy, QLD, July 2018]

Breeding information

Breeding season: May - Dec

Eggs: 3 - 6

Incubation period: 20 days

Fledging age: ca. 35 days

Given the right conditions, Red-winged Parrots can breed almost any time of the year. The breeding season in the tropical north peaks around May-July, farther south (in subtropical, moderate and inland climates) it peaks around September-December.

Nest building: Male & female?

Incubation: Female

Dependent care: Male & female

Nest

"bungobittah", "lar", "malunna", "jindi" [bundjalung] = nest [Aboriginal]

Type: Tree hollow

Material: ?

Height above ground: 5 - 20 m

Male Red-winged Parrot at the entrance of its nesting hollow (photo courtesy of C. Hayne)

Eggs

"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "mirk", "ngampu", "nooluk", "pateena", "pum-pum" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal]; "gawu" = eggs [gamilaraay]

Size: 31 x 26 mm

Colour: White

Shape: Oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal

Mobility: Dispersive

Elementary unit: Pair/small flock

 

Red-winged Parrots are usually seen only in small numbers, in groups of up to 4 or 5 birds (probably families). However, during the mating season of 2010 seen by us in a small flock of about 20 birds (see photo below).

Flock of Red-winged Parrots; this is about half the number of birds seen at the time
[Narrabri, NSW, July 2010]

Food, Diet

Like many other parrots, Red-winged Parrots feed on seeds, but they take fruit and nectar too.

The culinary preferences of Red-winged Parrots differ significantly from those of the outwardly similar Australian King-Parrots. Although both species share their liking for White Cedar fruit, Red-winged Parrots prefer figs and other (cactus) fruit (rather than apricots). Red-winged Parrots were also observed by us once taking seeds of Acacia salicina.

Male Red-winged Parrot taking nectar out of the blossoms of a grevillea (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Loyalty Beach, Cape York peninsula, QLD, August 2019]

This female seemed to be interested in the buds of one of our eucalypts
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2011]

Male Red-winged Parrot munching on a grevillea seed
[Pine Creek, NT, August 2014]

Male Red-winged Parrot feasting on an introduced Paddy Melon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary, near Cunnamulla, QLD, June 2019]

Female Red-winged Parrot feasting on an introduced Paddy Melon (photo courtesy of M. Eaton)
[Bowra Wildlife Sanctuary, near Cunnamulla, QLD, June 2019]

Female Red-winged Parrot feasting on what looks like privet (photo courtesy of M. Windeyer)
[Gilgandra, NSW, August 2010]

This Red-winged Parrot has been feeding in an area burnt by a recent bushfire (photo courtesy of P. Brown)
[Marrakai track, Top End, NT, August 2018]

Lateral view of a male Red-winged Parrot (photo courtesy of R. Druce)
[Maules Creek, NSW, January 2013]

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.

redwing_20140208.mp3	(NW NSW)	Contact call	© MD
redwing_20140911.mp3	(NW NSW)	Contact calls	© MD
redwing_20140208_2.mp3	(NW NSW)	Warning/ departure	© MD
redwing_20140112.mp3	(NW NSW)	Alarm/departure	© MD
redwing_pb_20180902.m4a	(Top End, NT)	Alarm calls(?); group in-flight	© PB
redwing_pb_20211014.m4a	(Top End, NT)	Competing for food(?); mob of 14	© PB
redwing_20190311.m4a	(NW NSW)	Juvenile begging, being fed & departure	© MD
redwing_20221127.mp3	(NW NSW)	2 juveniles begging + parents' response	© MD

More Red-winged Parrot 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: Mon, 9 January 2023, 20:19 +00:00