The Turquoise Parrot (Neophema pulchella) is a parrot previously widespread in Eastern Australia, though now mainly found in northeastern New South Wales and north-eastern Victoria.

A small parrot at around 20cm long, the male is predominantly green in colour and more yellowish below with a bright turquoise blue face and chestnut shoulders on the blue and green wings. Females are generally duller and paler and lack the chestnut wing patch.

It is found in grasslands and open woodlands, and feeds on grasses, seeds and nectar.

Taxonomy and naming

The English Common Name of the Turquoise Parrot been known alternately as Chestnut-shouldered parakeet, Chestnut-shouldered grass-parakeet , Chestnut-shouldered Grass-parrot, Chestnut-winged Grass-parakeet, Chestnut-winged Grass-Parrot and Turquoisine.

Conservation status

Australia

It is not listed as threatened on the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.

New South Wales

Once common in Western Sydney, it is listed as a Vulnerable species under Schedule 2 of the New South Wales Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995 (TSC Act).

Victoria

• This species is listed as threatened on the Victorian Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988). Under this Act, an Action Statement for the recovery and future management of the Turquoise Parrot has not been prepared.

• On the 2007 advisory list of threatened vertebrate fauna in Victoria, this species is listed as near threatened.

Aviculture Female

Captive-bred birds adapt readily to aviary conditions, and the species is widely bred. Several colour forms are seen in captivity, including a yellow, red-fronted and pied form (all recessive), and jade and Olive (dominant).

Sundown NP, S.Queensland, Australia