Family Psittacidae: Species - worldwide approx 326, Australia 41

Hooked bills, stocky bodies, with two toes forward and two back. All Australian parrots are considered “true” parrots, with distinct subfamilies.

Lorikeets (subfamily Loriinae) are socialable and noisy, with a shrill call and are fast flying, acrobatic, foraging parrots. Small bodied, with pointed tails. They feed on fruit, pollen and nectar. Rainbow Lorikeets are very colourful with purple/blue heads, and bodies that are mainly green, with red, yellow and blue on head and chest. Scaly-breasted Lorikeets are green, with yellow speckled chests.

‘Broad-tailed’ parrots (subfamily Platycercinae) include the Rosellas, Red-rumped Parrot, Swift Parrot, Australian Ringnecks and Budgerigars. Their tails are medium to long compared to their bodies. The male and female birds in this family have differing plumage and both sexes can be quite colourful.

‘Long-tailed’ parrots (Tribe Polytelini) have long, grated tails and long, pointed wings. Male and female birds have different coloured plumage. This tribe includes the King Parrot, Superb Parrot and Red-winged Parrot.