Mallee Ringneck Parakeet
Description
The Mallee Ringnecks (Barnardius zonarius barnardi or Barnardius barnardi) - also known as the Mallee Parrots -- are native to south-eastern Australia (Queensland to South Australia). They are common in mallee scrub, open woodlands, where they blend extremely well with their surroundings. They are often seen in pairs or family groups feeding in branches or shrubs.
This parrot belongs to the genus barnardius, along with the Port Lincoln Parrot, Cloncurry Parrot, and the Twenty eight Parrot.
These parrots all have a green body and a yellow ring or collar around their necks and are referred to as Australian Ringnecks.
This parrot averages 12.2 - 13.75 ins. (33 - 35 cm) in length.
Overall plumage is green; crown and sides to head bright green, cheeks with slight bluish tinge; red band to forehead; nape olive-brown with adjoining yellow collar on back of neck; lower back blue-black; breast and abdomen turquoise with a variable orange-yellow band; bend of wing blue becoming blue-green on lesser wing-coverts; greater wing-coverts yellowish-green; secondaries (shorter, upper "arm" feathers) dull green; primaries (longest wing feathers) and primary wing feathers dark blue; under wing-coverts blue; middle tail-feathers dark green with blue tips, outer feathers blue with pale tips; bill grey-whitish; narrow periophthalmic ring grey; iris dark brown; feet grey.
Females have a paler plumage; back and lower back dark grey-green; under wing-coverts greyish; pale under-wing stripe usually visible.
Immatures with duller plumage than female; nape and back of crown brownish; blue to cheeks usually more extensive; back and lower back grey-green; under-wing stripe usually present.
Scientific Name
Barnardius Barnardi
Country Of Origin
Eastern Australia
Size
13 inches
Life Expectancy
10 years
Noise Level
Low
Characteristics
While several species within the Barnardius group prefer less handling than Amazons or cockatoos, some owners agree that the Mallee ringneck is an attention-needing bir
Behavior / Health Concerns
Keep the Mallee ringneck parakeet’s diet full of fresh vegetables, specifically dark, leafy varieties. Vegetables are typically favored over fruits by this pet bird. In the wild, the Mallee ringneck parakeets travel in pairs or small families. They are usually ground feeders in their natural habitat. They shelter in trees during the hottest periods of the day and sometimes feed on the ground underneath the trees.
Expert Advice
“Quite similar to the Cloncurry. They are really faded out as chicks.”
Melinda Schmitz, owner of Anza’s Australian Beauties aviaries