The Regent Parrot is a striking green and yellow parrot found in southern, temperate Australia. It relies on river systems and nearby woodlands for nesting, feeding and breeding. While still locally common in some areas, the species has declined across much of its range and is now considered threatened in several states, making its long-term survival uncertain.

Above photo: David Stowe

Why are they in trouble?

Loss of nesting trees

Regent Parrots rely on large, old river red gums for nesting hollows. Clearing, logging and tree decline have greatly reduced the number of suitable nesting trees available.

Degraded river and woodland habitats

Changes to river flows, water extraction, grazing and weeds have damaged floodplain and woodland habitats, reducing food availability and overall habitat quality.

Competition and environmental stress

Regent Parrots face growing competition for nesting hollows from other birds and animals. Climate change is likely to increase heat stress and further reduce habitat suitability over time.

Why is it difficult?

Nest high in tree hollows

Nests are often located high in large trees along rivers, which makes them hard to find, access and monitor safely.

On the move

Regent Parrots can travel long distances between feeding and breeding sites, making it difficult to track individuals and understand how they use the landscape.

Spread across large, remote areas

Many Regent Parrot populations occur in remote river systems, requiring significant time and resources to survey consistently.

What are we doing?

Research and monitoring

Researchers are monitoring Regent Parrot populations to better understand where they breed, how successful nests are, and which habitats are most important for survival. This includes surveys of nesting sites, tracking movements, and assessing the availability and condition of tree hollows. These data help identify priority areas for protection and guide habitat management decisions.

Future research

Future research will focus on understanding how Regent Parrots respond to habitat restoration and changes in water management. There is also a need to investigate how climate change may affect breeding success and food availability. By filling these knowledge gaps, researchers can develop more effective conservation strategies to help secure the future of this iconic parrot.