The paradise parrot is an extinct species of colourful medium-sized parrot native to the grassy woodlands extending across the Queensland and New South Wales border area of eastern Australia. Once moderately common within its fairly restricted range, the last live bird was seen in 1927. Extensive and sustained searches in the years since then have failed to produce any reliable evidence of it, and it is the only Australian parrot recorded as disappearing and presumed extinct.
Region
Eastern Australia
Typical Environment
Historically restricted to open grassy eucalypt woodlands and savanna-like country along the Queensland–New South Wales border. It favored gently undulating areas with abundant native grasses, scattered trees, and numerous termite mounds near creeks and waterholes. Birds foraged mostly on the ground in lightly grazed or recently burned patches where grass seeds were accessible. Nesting occurred in cavities excavated into active termite mounds or earthen banks, often in areas with nearby open feeding grounds.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 600 m
Climate Zone
Subtropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The paradise parrot was a brilliantly colored, ground-nesting Australian parrot that famously bred in termite mounds and earthen banks. It declined rapidly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries due to habitat loss, overgrazing, altered fire regimes, and trapping. The last confirmed sighting was in 1927, and extensive searches since have found no evidence of survival. It remains the only Australian parrot known to have gone extinct in historical times.
Extinct Paradise Parrot (male)
Illustration by Roland Green, published in Mathew's Birds of Australia, 1917
"Beautiful or Paradise Parrot", Lydon (ill.) Fawcett (engr.) in Green & Dutton, Parrots in Captivity, vol 2. 1884.
Temperament
social and alert
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats, low and direct over grass
Social Behavior
Usually encountered in pairs or small family groups, maintaining strong pair bonds. It nested in cavities excavated into termite mounds or earthen banks, lining the chamber with grass. Breeding was likely timed to follow good rains when grass seed was abundant.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Soft, tinkling trills and twittering contact notes given during foraging and in flight. Calls were not loud, often carrying only a short distance across open grassland.
