The striking King Parrot is distinctive for the completely red head of the male and green head of the female. A familiar bird of the Otways, it is seen in the plains country and coastal towns in autumn and winter, normally in pairs or family groups.

It forages in trees, shrubs and grasses, for seeds and fruit, and can be seen feeding on the orange fruit of the Kangaroo Apple and the last of the seasons cherry tomatoes in gardens. It lays three to five white roundish eggs in wood dust at the bottom of a deep hollow, in the trunk of a tree. King Parrots will become tame when fed in gardens.

Size: 41-44cm

First photo (Female): Mark Trinham. Second Photo (Male): Mark Trinham. Illustration: Mark Trinham.