Barraband Parrot Care: Superb Parrot Guide for 2025

The Barraband Parrot, also known as the Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii), is a striking medium-sized parrot native to south-eastern Australia, mainly found in the dry woodlands along the riverbanks of New South Wales and Victoria. With an estimated population of around 10,000, this bird has notably adapted well to the changes brought on by artificial irrigation, expanding its natural habitat.

This species is visually distinctive: males display bright green feathers with yellow on the forehead and throat, and a striking scarlet band on the chest. Females have a more subdued palette with pale blue-green cheeks, a grey-green throat, and bright orange thigh feathers. Adults typically measure about 40cm long.

Keeping Barraband Parrots as Pets

In captivity, Barraband Parrots generally get along with other similarly sized parakeet species but should not be housed with smaller birds such as finches or canaries to avoid accidental injuries due to size differences. Adequate space is vital; cramped quarters can lead to stress and aggression even among birds with generally calm temperaments.

These parrots love flying and exercise, requiring either a large enclosure or ample supervised outdoor flight time to maintain their health and mental well-being. They are hardy when kept outdoors but do need access to a secure, sheltered night house for roosting. Inactivity and limited exercise can lead to obesity, so regular flight time is essential.

Provide branches of various sizes and textures, preferably with bark, for them to chew. This natural behaviour helps keep their beak and claws in good condition and prevents boredom.

Barrabands are known for their noisy but melodious calls. They require regular bathing opportunities to keep their feathers in prime condition and enjoy ground-foraging behaviour, scratching through seed or substrate, mimicking their natural habits.

From a health standpoint, Barraband Parrots can be prone to respiratory infections such as mycoplasmosis. Symptoms might show around the eyes, so vigilant monitoring is advised. Since these parrots forage on the ground, regular worming is important to prevent parasitic infections.

Diet and Nutrition

In the wild, Barrabands forage in groups, with males often seen independently or loosely paired with females. Their diet is varied, including eucalyptus flowers and fruits, nectar, pollen, and a range of grass and weed seeds including alfalfa, nettles, thistles, and shepherd’s purse.

Captive diets should mimic their natural food as much as possible, including a large parakeet seed mix supplemented with fresh fruits, vegetables, and leafy greens to provide necessary vitamins and minerals. During the breeding season, supplemental egg food is beneficial.

The seed mix typically contains sunflower seeds (used sparingly due to fat content), safflower, canary seed, and millets. Spray millet is a favourite treat. Preferred green foods include carrot, apple, broccoli, and celery, similar to the preferences of Kakarikis. Sweetcorn mixed with egg food is also enjoyed.

Providing branches from willow or similar trees supports their natural gnawing behaviour. Access to grit is crucial for digestion, so always ensure fresh grit is available.

Breeding Barraband Parrots

Their wild breeding season mainly runs from December to September. In their natural environment, they nest in hollow tree limbs or tree cavities. This can be simulated in captivity with appropriately sized nesting boxes measuring approximately 30cm by 60cm with an entrance hole of 9-10cm. Adding moist peat moss or rotten wood at the base of the nest box mimics their wild nesting materials.

Females typically lay between three to five eggs, incubating them for around 21 days. Both parents are fiercely protective of their nest, so nest checks should only be done when both adults are absent to avoid stress or aggression.

Fledging occurs at 4-5 weeks of age, with parental feeding continuing afterward. Newly fledged chicks can initially be clumsy and vulnerable, requiring monitoring to prevent injury. Males sometimes display aggression toward juveniles while encouraging the female to begin a new breeding cycle, which also warrants observation.

Young Barrabands take up to a year to develop their full adult plumage and resemble females throughout this time. They are sensitive to environmental changes during this developmental phase; thus, owners should maintain a stable and consistent environment. Sexual dimorphism is visually indistinct until around two years old, making DNA sexing the only reliable method for juveniles.

For colony breeding setups, nest boxes should be uniform in size and height and placed within easy visual contact with other pairs to accommodate their social behaviour.

Conclusion

The Barraband Parrot is a beautiful, intelligent, and inquisitive parrot species suitable for owners with some experience in managing parrots. Their care requirements are similar to species such as cockatiels and Kakarikis, both in terms of diet and space needs. They thrive in spacious environments with opportunities for flight and social interaction, making them rewarding companions for enthusiasts committed to responsible care.

Interestingly, the Barraband Parrot is recognised for its success in bird shows, notably being the only bird in the National Cage Bird Show in the US to win all three top awards, which underscores its charming and distinctive presence.