A few days ago I went for a walk and saw three different types of parrots all within a few paces of each other. How amazing is that!

First up, a trio of King Parrots. Two were males, the other a female. This is one of the males:

King Parrots are quite large, at 44 cm from head to tail. The females have a lot more green in their colouring. I think they’re prettier than the males, with their softer shading:

This video shows all three of the birds enjoying the flowers of a Grevillea bush. First you see the two males together. Then one of them flies over to join the female on the other side of the bush:

In the trees around the parrots, the smaller Rainbow Lorikeets chattered and scolded. Here’s one in a more contemplative mood than most:

One of them stood still for a while to examine me, before launching itself in my direction then swerving at the last moment as they are wont to do:

At the next tree, a group of Sulphur-crested Cockatoos examined a tree hollow. Perhaps a good place to raise a family? But competition is fierce!

Here’s one of the cockatoos making a point about ownership, or perhaps just being its usual excited self:

The walk itself is lovely, starting in Balgowlah and winding along the coast of Sydney Harbour, with bushland and forest on one side:

And pretty views of the waters of Sydney Harbour on the other side:

The birds:

Common name: Australian King Parrot
Scientific name: Alisterus scapularis
Approximate length: 44 cm

Common name: Rainbow Lorikeet
Scientific name: Trichoglossus haematodus
Approximate length: 30 cm

Common name: Sulphur-crested Cockatoo
Scientific name: Cacatua galerita
Approximate length: 50 cm

Date spotted: 26 November 2022 (spring)
Location: Near Forty Baskets beach, Sydney Harbour, New South Wales, Australia: 33°48’03.2″S 151°16’07.2″E