World Parrot Day: Celebrating Australia’s Remarkable Parrots

31 May marks World Parrot Day — a day to celebrate the beauty, intelligence and vulnerability of parrots around the world, and to reflect on how we can better understand and protect them.

Fun fact: cockatoos are parrots!

Cockatoos are part of the parrot order, Psittaciformes, but they sit within their own special family, Cacatuidae. This means our beloved Gang-gang Cockatoos, Galahs, Sulphur-crested Cockatoos and Black-Cockatoos are all part of the wider parrot family tree — with extra personality, expressive crests and plenty of character.

Australia’s extraordinary parrots

Australia is home to many unique and iconic parrot species. From the bright flash of Superb Parrots moving through Canberra and NSW woodlands, to the critically endangered Orange-bellied Parrot, which migrates between mainland Australia and Tasmania, parrots are deeply connected to our landscapes, seasons and ecosystems.

Here in Canberra and across south-eastern Australia, many people will recognise the calls, colours and movement of parrots in local woodlands, gardens and reserves. These birds are not only beautiful to observe — they are also important reminders of the health and complexity of the natural world around us.

Looking closely through art

At NatureArt Lab, birds often become a doorway into deeper observation.

Through drawing, painting, nature journalling and natural history art, our tutors encourage students to slow down, look closely and notice the details that connect species to place — the curve of a beak, the structure of feathers, the colours of habitat, and the delicate relationships between birds, trees, hollows, food plants and healthy ecosystems.

Many of our tutors also create artworks that celebrate Australia’s unique birdlife, helping to build appreciation, curiosity and care for the natural world. Art gives us time to observe. It asks us to notice what might otherwise be missed. And when we begin to see more clearly, we often begin to care more deeply.

Threatened parrots need our attention

Sadly, many Australian parrots are now vulnerable or endangered. These include the Golden-shouldered Parrot, Orange-bellied Parrot, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Superb Parrot and Swift Parrot.

Threats such as habitat loss, the removal of old hollow-bearing trees, introduced predators and changing environments place pressure on these remarkable birds. Many parrot species rely on mature trees with hollows for nesting, as well as diverse native plants that provide food throughout the year.

Protecting parrots means protecting the habitats and ecological relationships they depend on.

Ways we can help

There are many practical actions we can take to support parrots and other vulnerable bird species:

🌿 Plant native species that provide food for foraging birds
🌿 Protect mature trees and plant trees that can develop hollows over time
🌿 Keep pet cats indoors or provide access to a secure cat run
🌿 Learn which parrots live in your local area
🌿 Support citizen science and bird monitoring programs
🌿 Spend time observing and appreciating local birdlife

Small actions, when shared across communities, can make a meaningful difference.

Art, observation and care

World Parrot Day is a wonderful reminder that curiosity can lead to connection. Whether we are watching a flock move through the trees, sketching feather patterns in a nature journal, or learning about the ecology of a threatened species, each act of attention helps deepen our relationship with the natural world.

At NatureArt Lab, we believe art can help us see more clearly — and when we see more clearly, we often care more deeply.

Learn more about World Parrot Day through the World Animal Protection’s World Parrot Day page:
https://www.worldanimalprotection.org/our-campaigns/sentience/animal-awareness-days/world-parrot-day/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Image credits:

Superb Parrot, photography by
Sulphur-crested Cockatoo in Watercolour by Lesley Wallington
Crimson Rosella in Watercolour by Lesley Wallington
Superb Parrot in pen and ink by Jessica Riese
Orange-bellied Parrot Colour pencils by Zoe Lawrence
Crimson Rosella in Oil paint by Dr Taylor Singh
Brown-hooded parrot, Helmut Guth, Borneo Tour 2025.

Explore our Australian bird greeting cards:
✨ Orange-bellied Parrot card: https://natureartlab.com.au/products/orange-bellied-parrot-australian-art-greeting-card

✨ Superb Parrot card: https://natureartlab.com.au/products/superb-parrot-australian-art-greeting-card