Psephotellus dissimilis (Collett, 1898)

Taxonomic Identification

The hooded parrot (scientific name Psephotellus dissimilis (Collett, 1898)) is a medium-sized parrot that reaches a maximum length of 26 cm (10 in) and weighs between 50 and 60 g (1.8 to 2.1 oz).

Adult Male Plumage

Adult males have a black head, bluish-grey beak, and dark-brown irises, with a yellow patch on each wing. Their upperparts and back are brown, their underparts are turquoise blue, their olive green tail is tipped with pale blue, and their legs are pink-grey.

Adult Female Plumage

Adult females are dull-green birds with a grey-brown head and pink undertail coverts.

Juvenile Plumage

Juvenile hooded parrots resemble adult females.

Male Similar Species Distinction

Male hooded parrots can be distinguished from similar-looking male golden-shouldered parrots primarily by three traits: they lack a pale frontal band, they have a larger yellow wing patch, and they have no red coloration on the abdomen.

Female Similar Species Distinction

Female hooded parrots are very similar to female yellow-shouldered parrots, and can be identified by their lack of a pale frontal band and lack of red on the abdomen.

Endemic Range

The hooded parrot is an endemic species native to Australia. It lives in semi-arid areas of the northeast of the Northern Territory, and its range is separated from that of the golden-shouldered parrot by the Carpentarian faunal barrier.

Population Status

While the species has disappeared from most of its original range, it remains common in protected areas.

IUCN Classification

It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.