Mallee Ringneck (Barnardius barnardi)

Australia is home to a dazzling diversity of parrots, from the vibrant Red-and-Green Macaw to the diminutive Budgerigar. Among the country’s unique parrots is the Mallee Ringneck (Barnardius barnardi), a small green parrot marked by its distinctive facial patterning.

The Mallee Ringneck measures just 11-13 inches (28-33 cm) in length and weighs only 70-100 grams (2.5-3.5 oz). Its plumage is predominantly green on the back and wings, with a bright blue band across the forehead. The most distinctive feature is the vibrant purple-blue crown on top of the head.

This small parrot inhabits a very restricted range within mallee scrublands in southeastern Australia. Its total population is estimated at around 15,000 mature individuals. Due to ongoing habitat destruction and nest competition, the Mallee Ringneck is classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

In this article, we will cover everything you need to know about Australia’s Mallee Ringneck, from its discovery and taxonomy to physical traits, habitat, diet, breeding behaviors, ecology, conservation status, and cultural significance. Read on to learn more about this little-known and uniquely Australian parrot.

History and Taxonomy

The Mallee Ringneck was first described by the prominent English ornithologist John Gould in 1837. Gould named the parrot Barnardius barnardi in honor of his friend and fellow zoologist Edward Barnard.

This species is classified within the genus Barnardius, which includes the related Australian Ringneck and Port Lincoln Ringneck. Its scientific name breaks down as follows:

• Barnardius: Genus name given in honor of Edward Barnard
• barnardi: Specific epithet also honoring Barnard

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Cacatuidae
Genus: Barnardius
Species: B. barnardi

Two subspecies of the Mallee Ringneck are recognized:

• B. b. barnardi: The nominate subspecies found across southeastern Australia
• B. b. macgillivrayi: A central Australian subspecies named for explorer John MacGillivray

The southeastern subspecies, B. b. barnardi, has a wider range encompassing southern Victoria, southeastern South Australia, and western New South Wales. The central Australian race, B. b. macgillivrayi, occupies arid scrublands further inland in South Australia and the southwest corner of the Northern Territory.

Physical differences between the subspecies include varations in facial markings and wing coloration. The central Australian birds also average slightly smaller in body size. But in both subspecies, the brightly colored crown is a consistent feature.

Physical Appearance

The Mallee Ringneck is a relatively small parrot, measuring 11-13 inches (28-33 cm) in total length. Average body mass is 70-100 grams (2.5-3.5 ounces).

The predominant body plumage color is green on the back, rump, wings, and tail. The lower underparts are a pale greenish-yellow. The most striking feature is the bright purple-blue crown atop the head. A thin band of bright blue runs across the forehead, separating the blue crown from the largely green face.

There are some subtle physical differences between the two Mallee Ringneck subspecies:

• B. b. barnardi (the southeastern nominate race):
  • Dark blackish feathers on the bend of the wing
  • Reddish-brown forehead band
  • Dark grey eyering
• B. b. macgillivrayi (central Australian race):
  • Paler wing bend
  • Paler grey eyering
  • No red tinge to forehead band

In both subspecies, the eyes are dark brown, the strong bill is pale greyish-horn colored, and the legs and feet are bluish-grey.

Despite the variations, the vibrant blue and purple crown is ubiquitous across the range of the Mallee Ringneck. This striking “crown of color” serves as the species’ most identifiable feature. When perched atop bushes and branches in its arid scrubland habitat, this small parrot is hard to miss.

Habitat and Distribution

The Mallee Ringneck is endemic to Australia, where it occupies a relatively restricted range. Its native habitat consists of mallee woodlands and scrublands, typically in arid or semi-arid environments.

Mallee vegetation is characterized by multi-stemmed eucalyptus trees and shrubs. This unique habitat grows in nutrient-poor soils across parts of southern Australia. The Mallee Ringneck is well adapted to the dry conditions of this habitat.

Specifically, the southeastern B. b. barnardi subspecies resides in mallee scrublands of southeast South Australia, western Victoria, and adjoining parts of western New South Wales. The central Australian B. b. macgillivrayi occupies the arid region spanning northeastern South Australia into the southwest corner of the Northern Territory.

Across their entire range, Mallee Ringnecks are found at relatively low elevations from 300 to 1,500 feet (100 to 500 m) above sea level.

An introduced population of Mallee Ringnecks has become established in the greater Perth region of southwestern Australia after either escaped or deliberately released captive birds took up residence. But the species’ native range remains highly restricted apart from this one outlier population.

The dependence on the threatened mallee habitat continues to impact the conservation status of this uniquely Australian parrot. Ongoing land clearing for agriculture and development has fragmented much of the Mallee Ringneck’s already limited endemic range.

Diet and Feeding

The Mallee Ringneck is an opportunistic and adaptable feeder, consuming a varied diet across its arid range. Seeds and grain make up a large portion of the diet, supplemented by flower buds, nectar, fruits, and insects.

Its strong bill allows it to feed on a diversity of hard seeds and nuts. Favorites include acacia seeds, various grass seeds, and eucalyptus nuts. The Mallee Ringneck also regularly visits flowering plants to drink nectar and feed on pollen.

Fruits consumed range from figs to currants and other native berries. Insect prey provides essential proteins, with beetle larvae, ants, caterpillars and grasshoppers all taken. The parrot supplements its herbivorous diet with these insects when available, especially while breeding.

Mallee Ringnecks are highly social, spending most of their time roaming and foraging in flocks of 10 to 30 individuals. This species spends more time feeding on the ground than many other parrots. But it also feeds regularly in the boughs of the low mallee eucalyptus trees and various shrubs dotted across its arid habitat.

Observations of the introduced population near Perth show that Mallee Ringnecks there utilize backyard bird feeders stocked with seed mixes. This demonstrates the species’ ability to adapt to new food sources in non-native environments.

Breeding and Reproduction

The Mallee Ringneck breeds during the Australian spring and summer months from September through January. Like most parrots, this species nests in tree hollows. It relies on hollows high up in the upper branches of eucalyptus trees across its mallee scrubland habitat.

Competition for the limited nesting hollows is fierce. Mallee Ringnecks frequently clash with other hollow-nesters including cockatoos, woodswallows, owlet-nightjars, and introduced starlings.

Once a suitable hollow is secured, the female lays a clutch of 3-4 white eggs. She incubates the eggs alone for about 21 days before hatching. The male feeds her during incubation.

The helpless chicks hatch blind and naked but are quickly covered in emerging grey down. Both parents feed the demanding young through regurgitation. After 5-6 weeks, the chicks are ready to fledged and leave the nest hollow. However, the parents continue supplementary feeding as the juveniles hone their flight skills over 2-3 more weeks.

From late summer through winter, Mallee Ringnecks live in nomadic flocks, foraging widely across the arid landscapes of southeastern Australia for food. But come spring, thoughts turn again to securing precious nest hollows for breeding the next generation of these uniquely Australian parrots.

Behavior and Ecology

The Mallee Ringneck exhibits highly social behaviors, spending most of its time roaming and foraging in noisy flocks. The average flock size consists of 10 to 30 individuals but groups up to 100 have been recorded when resources allow.

They sleep communally, cramming into tree hollows alongside dozens of other Mallee Ringnecks. Nighttime roosting sites are typically Eucalyptus trees growing alongside open scrub. Their bright plumage and small size affords some protection from nocturnal predators like owls.

During the day, the parrots cover large distances across their semi-arid range in search of food and water. The species spends lots of time feeding on the ground but also forages regularly in shrubs and low trees.

Vocalizations among groups range from raucous squawks to quieter chuckling sounds. Pairs may break off temporarily for breeding but frequently rejoin flocks after nesting.

Mallee Ringnecks display no aggression toward other species that share their habitat. Mixed foraging flocks alongside finches and Doves are common. They may compete for nesting sites but even these confrontations rarely turn physical.

However, the dependence on a threatened mallee woodland ecosystem for food, water and breeding sites continues to impact the conservation status of this species. Ongoing habitat destruction across its limited Australian range remains the largest threat facing the Mallee Ringneck into the future.

Conservation Status

The Mallee Ringneck is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Its total global population is estimated to number around 15,000 mature individuals.

The species occupies a geographic range of less than 20,000 sq miles (50,000 sq km) across parts of southeastern Australia. Numbers are believed to be in moderate decline due to continued habitat destruction.

The greatest threat facing the Mallee Ringneck is ongoing clearing of its mallee woodland ecosystem for agriculture and development. This habitat loss leads to fragmentation that isolates groups and disrupts breeding.

Competition for nest hollows also threatens successful reproduction. The Mallee Ringneck battles introduced species like European Starlings for the limited tree hollows required for nesting sites.

Climate change poses a future risk by altering the fire regimes and water availability within the semi-arid mallee regions. More frequent wildfires can reduce food supplies and nesting sites. Hotter, drier conditions also threaten the nectar-bearing flowering plants this species relies on.

Conservation actions aimed at protecting the Mallee Ringneck include habitat restoration programs focusing on intact mallee ecosystems. Captive breeding initiatives help supplement wild populations. Continued monitoring of population trends is also critical for the management of this uniquely Australian parrot.

Cultural Significance

The vibrant colors and charismatic nature of the Mallee Ringneck have made this parrot a favorite among Australians. Its image graces both currency and postage stamps in Australia.

The species has been depicted on the following:

• The five cent coin
• A 2005 stamp commemorating endangered Australian parrots
• A 2009 Australian bird stamp series

Its popularity has unfortunately led to illegal trapping for the cage bird trade, both domestically and abroad. Trafficking of wild Mallee Ringnecks persists as an ongoing threat. captive breeding programs aim to provide an alternative source for pet owners.

The parrot’s common name references the thin “ringneck” band across its nape. But Australians have also affectionately dubbed it the “Twenty-eight” based on its loud, gregarious flocks.

Though not officially designated, the Mallee Ringneck certainly qualifies as an avian emblem for the mallee region it inhabits. Its future likely depends on humans taking greater steps to preserve the distinctive scrublands this species calls home. More conservation focus on Australia’s vulnerable mallee habitat would help ensure the persistence of this colorful parrot.

Conclusion

The Mallee Ringneck is a small, vibrantly colored parrot endemic to the mallee scrublands of Australia. Distinguished by its bright purple-blue crown and blue forehead band, this parrot measures just over 1 foot long and weighs only a few ounces.

Two subspecies exist, separated geographically across the southern Australian states of Victoria, New South Wales, and South Australia. The southeastern race B. b. barnardi occupies a wider range while the central Australian taxon B. b. macgillivrayi has a more restricted distribution.

Mallee Ringnecks form highly social flocks of dozens of individuals, roaming their semi-arid home range in search of seeds, nectar, fruits and insects. Competition for nest hollows is fierce during the spring breeding season.

Classified as Near Threatened with an estimated global population under 20,000 mature birds, habitat loss across its limited endemic range remains the biggest threat. Conservation efforts focus on ecosystem preservation and captive breeding programs.

The Mallee Ringneck’s vibrant plumage and gregarious personality have made it a favorite Australian parrot. But protection of its threatened mallee habitat is crucial for ensuring the persistence of this uniquely Australian species.