Australian King Parrot

• ExerciseModerate

  Daily out-of-cage time and foraging toys keep them busy.

• GroomingEasy upkeep

  Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• Living spaceStandard cage

  A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Owner experienceSome experience helps

  A little know-how makes life smoother.

• Commitment25–30 years

  Plan for a long, loving relationship.

Health to watch: Respiratory issues · Obesity · Parasites

The Australian King Parrot (Alisterus scapularis) is a forest parrot of eastern Australia, common enough in wet gullies and suburban gardens to visit feeding tables. The sexes are strikingly different: the male's whole head and underside is deep scarlet, while the female remains green with a red belly, and males take about three years to reach full colour. It is a calm and dignified bird rather than a boisterous one. King Parrots are quiet by parrot standards, with a soft ringing call, and they lack the destructive restlessness of a cockatoo or the intensity of a conure. What they also lack is much interest in being handled: like most Australian broad-tails they are best kept as aviary birds, where they are hardy, long-lived and lovely to watch, rather than as a cuddly companion. Hand-raised birds can be steady and tolerant, but they rarely become tactile pets. They need a long aviary that allows real flight, since they are strong direct fliers and do poorly in short cages. Feed a good parakeet or pellet base with fruit, berries, vegetables and leafy greens; in the wild they eat a great deal of fruit and seed from eucalypts and acacias. They spend time on the ground and forage low, so as with rosellas, outdoor birds need routine worming, clean dry substrate and faecal checks. Provide bathing water, shade and shelter, avoid non-stick fumes and aerosols indoors, and arrange an annual avian vet check.

• How much activity does a Australian King Parrot need?

  Moderate. Daily out-of-cage time and foraging toys keep them busy.

• How much feather care does a Australian King Parrot need?

  Easy upkeep. Fresh bath water and an occasional mist are all they ask.

• What cage does a Australian King Parrot need?

  Standard cage. A proper cage and daily out-of-cage time fit fine in an apartment.

• Is a Australian King Parrot a good fit for first-time owners?

  Some experience helps. A little know-how makes life smoother.

• How long do Australian King Parrot live?

  25–30 years. Plan for a long, loving relationship.

• What health issues affect the Australian King Parrot?

  Keep an eye out for Respiratory issues, Obesity, Parasites. These are worth raising with your vet, along with any screening they recommend.

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