• An Australian Parrot                                               (Click on photo to enlarge)
• Scientific Name:  Polytelis anthopeplus
• Common Name/s:  REGENT PARROT,  SMOKER PARROT,  ROCK PEBBLER, SMOKER, BLACK TAILED PARROT.
• Sub Species in country / area of origin: 2.  P. p. anthopeplus and P. p. westralis.
• Origin / Distribution:  Two populations. One in south-western Australia, the other in south-eastern Australia.
• Habitat In Wild:  Both populations declining mainly due to loss of suitable habitat. 
• Status In Wild:  Declining
• Status In (Australian) Captivity:  Secure
• Age To Sexual Maturity:  Breed in second year.
• Lifespan (estimate):  approx. 15 or more years
• Sexing: Monomorphic / Dimorphic
• Mutations:  None
• Availability:  Bird dealers
• Temperament:  Good aviary bird and can be kept in a colony.  Generally regarded as a docile bird.
• Cost (Victoria) Per Pair: - Normal colour (Approx.) $100
• Description Of Adults:

1. Length: Approx. 400 mm (or approx. 16 inches)
2. Colour ( "normal" colour ): Refer photo above - top right of page. (Click on photo to enlarge).
3. Weight: Approx. 180 - 200 gms (or approx  6.5 - 7 ozs)

Aviary Notes:

Level Of Knowledge Required: Beginner / Intermediate / Advanced / Specialist Breeders Only.

Government Regulations & By-Laws:  Refer to " Government Laws " web page.

Housing Requirements:  Refer to " Housing Birds " web page for general details on the housing of Australian Parrots or read on for specific details for this parrot.

The Regent parrot can be housed in a wide variety of sizes of aviaries.  5 metre long aviary is recommended.  Leafy branches or some type of screening is recommended at the open end of the aviary when the young leave the nest to help them avoid hitting the wire on their initial flights and injuring themselves.

Will hybridize with other Polytelis birds such as the Princess parrot and Superb parrot.

Non-toxic leafy branches, such as eucalypts, can be placed in the aviary for the birds to chew up. This will entertain the birds, help minimize boredom and give the birds some beak exercise. Natural branches of various diameters, and placed at various angles, can be used for perches. These natural perches may be chewed by the birds and may need to be replaced regularly. The birds may chew any flowers and fruiting bodies on the branches.

Diet / Feeding:  Refer to " Feeding Birds " web page for general details on the feeding of Australian Parrots or read on for specific details for this parrot.

Good quality Budgie mix plus some sunflower seed.  Sprouted or soaked seed if available.  Only feed small quantities of sunflower seed.  A variety of fruits such as apple and pear.  A variety of vegetables such as corn and corn-on-the-cob and some green leafy vegetables such as silverbeet or endive.

Dry commercial pellet feeds are becoming available and may form part of a balanced diet.

Some birds will consume insects such as mealworms, especially around breeding season.  Insects will provide the adult birds and young with a good source of easily digestible protein.  Insects can be fed to these birds on a daily basis.

Nesting:  A basic overview only.  Dimensions are typical / average and can vary widely, influenced by the owner's preferences and the birds preferences.  Parent bird's preferences can also be influenced by the size and type of nest-box / log in which the bird was hatched and reared.  If space allows, offering a choice of sizes and types of logs or nest-boxes, and placed in various locations within the aviary, can allow the parent birds to make their own choice.  Once a pair has chosen a specific nest-box/log and been successful in it, offer that one to them each breeding season.  Try and keep that one for their exclusive use.  Once a pair has chosen its log or nest-box, the other ones can generally be removed.  If the "spare" boxes are to be removed and moved to another flight, ensure the log / nest box is cleaned to ensure the receptacle has the minimal contamination of mites, parasites and pathogens.

All Australian parrots will breed in hollow logs.

• Nesting months: August to December
• Log / Nest-box:
  • Length / depth  600 mm (or approx. 24 inches)
  • Log internal diameter approx. 250 mm. (or approx. 10 inches)
  • Nest-box internal dimensions approx.  250 mm square (or approx. 10 inches square)
  • Diameter of entrance hole approx. 75 - 80 mm (or approx  3 inches)
  • Inspection hole (square or round) 100 mm (or approx 4 inches)
  • A removable top / lid can be a useful access point for inspections and for cleaning.
  • Location & height of log / nest-box =  in a sheltered part of the aviary and at about 1.5 - 1.8 metres height, but not too close to the roof to cause heat problems in the hotter months.
  • Angle of log or nest box =  45 degrees through to vertical.
• Nesting log / nest-box material: Decomposed non-toxic saw dust, wood shavings or other suitable material/s.
• Who incubates the egg/s: Hen / cock / both share.

Generally tolerant of nest inspection.
Timber nest-boxes generally require a climbing structure attached inside the box below the entrance hole. Both logs and nests need an entrance hole/opening about 100 mm (about 4 inches) from the top. Many species of parrots like the entrance hole to be just big enough to squeeze through.

More details on parrot nestboxes/logs and a selection of parrot nestbox/log photos can be found on the "nests", "parrot nests" and "parrot nestbox photos" web pages.  Click on "Up" then "Nests" then "parrot nests" and "parrot nestbox photos" in the navigation bars.

Breeding: Egg Colour White.  Clutch/s per year 1.  Eggs per nest  4 - 6.  Incubation approx. 20 days.  Fledge approx.  5 - 6 weeks.  Independent approx. another 3 weeks.

The hen is usually the dominant bird.

Artificial incubation and hand rearing or fostering will not be covered on this web site.  It is too complex and diverse in nature to be attempted here.

Health Issues:  Refer to "Avian Health Issues" web page for information and references.

• Worming and parasite control and Quarantine requirements of new bird/s or sick bird/s are considered to require veterinary advice and therefore not covered on this web site.  Refer "Avian Health Issues" web page option.
• Avian medicine is advancing at a rapid pace.  Keep updating your knowledge and skills.

General References:  Refer to references listed on "Book References" web page.

Specific References:

• Australian Aviculture
• A/A Vol 51 No. 5 May 1997 Page 117-118
• A/A Vol 49 No. 4 Apr 1995 Page 83-89
• A/A Vol 46 No. 1 Jan 1992 Page 7-15
• A/A Vol 45 No. 7 July 1991 Page 178-179
• A/A Vol 45 No. 6 Jun 1991 Page 144-149 (Inc photo)
• A/A Vol 28 No. 7 Jul 1974 Page 108-111
• A/A Vol 28 No. 5 May 1974 Page 72-75
• A/A Vol 24 No. 5 May 1970 Page 65-66.
• A/A Vol 14 No 9 Sept 1960 Page 131-132.
• A/A Vol  7 No 10 Oct 1953 Page 113-114.
• A/A Vol  7 No 5 May 1953 Page 60-61.
• A/A Vol  1 No 7 Jul 1947.
• Australian Birdkeeper
• ABK Vol 15 Issue 4. Aug-Sept 2002 Page 193-196.
• ABK Vol  1 Issue 3. Jun-July 1988 Page 70-71

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