The Australian king parrot (Alisterus scapularis) is a species of parrot endemic to eastern Australia. In their native Australia, king parrots are occasionally bred in aviaries and kept as calm and relatively quiet household pets if hand-raised. As pets, they have limited "talking" ability and normally prefer not to be handled, but they do bond readily with people and can be very devoted.
The adult male has a red head, breast, and lower undersides, with a blue band on the back of the neck between the red above and green on the back. The wings are green and each has a pale green shoulder band, the tail is green, and the rump is blue. The male has a reddish-orange upper mandible with a black tip, a black lower mandible with an orange base, and yellow irises. The plumage of the female is very different from the male having a green head and breast, a grey beak, and a pale shoulder band that is small or absent. Juveniles of both sexes have brown irises and a yellowish beak and otherwise resemble the female.
Australian king parrots range from north and central Queensland to southern Victoria. Further from their normal eastern upland habitat, they are also found in Canberra during winter, the outer western suburbs and north shore of Sydney, and the Carnarvon Gorge in central Queensland. Australian king parrots prefer humid and heavily forested upland regions of the eastern portion of the continent, including eucalyptus wooded areas in and directly adjacent to subtropical and temperate rainforests. They also frequent farmlands, suburban and urban areas.
Australian king parrots are active during the day and frequently seen in pairs or small groups with various species of rosella. They are mainly arboreal and will come to the ground only to drink or to feed on fallen fruits or seeds. They typically feed in trees quietly and if disturbed will fly into the forest.
Australian king parrots are herbivores (frugivores, granivores). Their diet includes mainly seeds and various fruit.
Australian king parrots are monogamous and mate for life. Their breeding season takes place from August until January. The nest is usually located deep in a hollow in a tree and lined with decayed wood dust. The female lays 4-6 eggs and incubates them alone for about 20 days. The chicks hatch blind and helpless and fledge at about 5 weeks of age.
Australian king parrots are not threatened at present but in some areas of their native range, they suffer from continuous habitat destruction.
According to IUCN Red List, the Australian king parrot is common throughout its range but no overall population estimate is available. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are decreasing.