Australian Parrots


Exempt Species of Native Bird in QLD, Australia

EXEMPT BIRD IN Queensland.
In Queensland you do not require a license to keep or use, lawfully obtained birds on the exempt list.
You can buy, sell or breed exempt birds. There is a clause that states that you cannot “process” them, such as “convert them into another form by a special process such as taxidermy”.
Exempt Bird in QLD may be kept, breed and sold without a license but they are all “protected” and it is illegal to take them from the wild.

You will not require any type of documentation to transport your exempt birds within Queensland and you can transport them without documentation into other states as long as you do not require approval from the wildlife authority of the other State. This is because each State has unique laws on wildlife that must be abided by.

It is also illegal to move Exempt Birds from Queensland for the purpose of moving them to another country or selling, giving or moving them to a person in another country.

Queensland’s Exempt Native Birds

  • Scientific name Common name
  • Coturnix chinensis………………………………….King quail
  • Coturnix pectoralis…………………………………Stubble quail
  • Coturnix ypsilophora………………………………Brown quail
  • Erythrura gouldiae…………………………………..Gouldian finch
  • Geopelia cuneata…………………………………….Diamond dove
  • Geopelia striata……………………………………….Peaceful Dove
  • Melopsittacus undulates…………………………..Budgerigar
  • Neochmia ruficauda, other than N. r. ruficauda
    • Star finch,other than the eastern subspecies
  • Neophema bourkii…………………………………..Bourke’s parrot
  • Neophema elegans………………………………….Elegant parrot
  • Nymphicus hollandicus…………………………..Cockatiel or Quarrion
  • Psephotus haematonotus………………………..Red-rumped parrot
  • Taeniopygia guttata………………………………..Zebra finch

The Exempt Native Birds below are also “Prescribed Licence Exempt Birds”.
When keeping a “Prescribed Licence Exempt Bird” for a commercial purpose you are legally required to keep a record book, even though you don’t require a licence. A record book or electronic record system must be kept up-to-date with details of all transactions and/or number changes of your “Prescribed Licence Exempt Birds”. Records must be amended on the day of the transaction or when the number change occurs. Record Book can be brought at EPA offices and electronic record system must be approved by the EPA chief executive.

  • Neophema splendida ……………………Scarlet-chested parrot*
  • Polytelis alexandrae …………………….Princess parrot or Alexandra’s parrot*
  • Trichoglossus haematodus …………..Rainbow lorikeet*
  • Barnardius zonarius semitorquatus
    • Australian ringneck or Twenty-eight parrot*
  • Cacatua galerita …………………………..Sulphur-crested cockatoo*
  • Cacatua pastinator ………………………Western corella*
  • Cacatua roseicapilla …………………….Galah*
  • Cacatua sanguinea ………………………Little corella*
  • Cacatua tenuirostris …………………….Long-billed corella*
Disclaimer:This document contains general information and is not a legal, professional or commercial document. It is import that you should satisfy yourself independently through your own professional advisors before acting on any course of action


CLASS 2 Bird Keeper Licence in NSW, Australia

The keeping of any Class 2 Native Bird Species involves a load of enthusiasm and commitment, as they require a lot of time and skill to properly take care of these wonderful and precious birds. For it is not a right but a privilege to care for any of our precious wildlife.

The NSW CLASS 2 Bird Keeper Licence permits the holder to keep all bird species listed by the NSW CLASS 1 Bird Keeper Licence or Companion Bird Licence as well as the bird species listed below. A Class 2 licence must be obtained before any Class 2 Native Bird Species can be acquired.

To obtain a NSW CLASS 2 Bird Keeper Licence you must be over 18 years old and be able to prove that you have had at least two years worth of experience in keeping native birds. You must also show evidence that you understand the needs of the native bird species that you wish to acquire and are capable of providing all the necessary care and accommodation your birds will require.

You will need to lodge a written application addressing all this criteria before National Parks and Wildlife Service will issue a Class 2 licence.

National Parks and Wildlife Service can issue your Class 2 Licence for one, two or five years. To maintain your Class 2 Bird Keeper Licence you must maintain complete records of all bird species held, which must be submitted to the National Parks and Wildlife Service in July of each year. You and the other parties must also provide written notification on any transactions involving any Class 2 native bird species within 10 days of that transaction.

PARROTS AND COCKATOOS

S0261: Cyclopsitta diophthalma
Double-eyed Fig-Parrot
(includes: Macleay’s or
Red-browed Fig-Parrot and
Marshall’s , or
Cape York Fig Parrot)

Y8028: Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni
Coxen’s Fig-Parrot
Blue-browed Fig-Parrot

W0263: Probosciger aterrimus
Palm Cockatoo
Black Macaw
Cape York Cockatoo
Great Palm Cockatoo

PIGEONS AND DOVES

U0026: Ducula bicolor
Pied Imperial-Pigeon
Torresian Imperial Pigeon
Torres Straight Pigeon

Q0040: Geophaps smithii
Partridge Pigeon
Bare-eyed Pigeon

A0044: Leucosarcia melanoleuca
Wonga Pigeon

W0027: Lopholaimus antarcticus
Topknot Pigeon

C0029: Macropygia amboinensis
Brown Cuckoo-Dove
Brown Pigeon
Pheasant-tailed Pigeon

C0037: Petrophassa albipennis
White-quilled Rock-Pigeon

E0038: Petrophassa rufipennis
Chestnut-quilled Rock-Pigeon
Red-quilled Rock Pigeon

S0025: Ptilinopus magnificus
Wompoo Fruit-Dove
Magnificent Fruit Dove
Wompoo Pigeon

Z0023: Ptilinopus superbus
Superb Fruit-Dove
Purple-crowned Pigeon

QUAILS

Z0015: Turnix castanota
Chestnut-backed Button-quail
Buff-backed Quail

K0013: Turnix maculosa
Red-backed Button-quail
Black-spotted Quail
Orange-breasted Quail
Red-collared Quail

Q0016: Turnix olivii
Buff-breasted Button-quail

W0019: Turnix pyrrhothorax
Red-chested Button-quail
Chestnut-breasted Quail
Red-breasted Quail
Red-chested Quail / Turnix

FINCHES

U0650: Stagonopleura bella
Beautiful Firetail
Firetail Finch

W0651: Stagonopleura oculata
Red-eared Firetail

WATERFOWL

U0210: Anas castanea
Chestnut Teal

W0211: Anas gracilis
Grey Teal

A0212: Anas rhynchotis
Australasian Shoveler

Y0208: Anas superciliosa
Pacific Black Duck

G0215: Aythya australis
Hardhead
White-eyed Duch

M0198: Cereopsis novaehollandiae
Cape Barren Goose

U0202: Chenonetta jubata
Australian Wood Duck
Maned Goose
Wood Duck

W0203: Cygnus atratus
Black Swan

A0204: Dendrocygna arcuata
Wandering Whistling-Duck

C0205: Dendrocygna eytoni
Plumed Whistling-Duck

Q0200: Nettapus coromandelianus
Cotton Pygmy-goose
White Pygmy Goose

S0201: Nettapus pulchellus
Green Pygmy-goose

Y0216: Oxyura australis
Blue-billed Duck

E0214: Stictonetta naevosa
Freckled Duck

E0206: Tadorna radjah
Radjah Shelduck
Burdekin Duck

G0207: Tadorna tadornoides
Australian Shelduck
Mountain Duck

Z0199: Anseranas semipalmata
Magpie Goose
Pied Goose

MISCELLANEOUS & SOFTBILL SPECIES

E0046: Gallirallus philippensis
Buff-banded Rail
Banded Landrail

M0058: Porphyrio porphyrio
Purple Swamphen

G0055: Gallinula ventralis
Black-tailed Native-hen

U0174: Burhinus grallarius
Bush Stone-curlew
Bush Thick-knee

Z0147: Cladorhynchus leucocephalus
Banded Stilt

M0146: Himantopus himantopus
Black-winged Stilt
Pied Stilt

C0133: Vanellus miles
Masked Lapwing
Spur-winged Plover

G0135: Vanellus tricolor
Banded Lapwing

K0313: Podargus strigoides
Tawny Frogmouth

M0322: Dacelo novaeguineae
Laughing Kookaburra

Z0323: Dacelo leachii
Blue-winged Kookaburra

S0325: Todiramphus pyrrhopygia
Red-backed Kingfisher

U0326: Todiramphus sanctus
Sacred Kingfisher

E0354: Pitta iris
Rainbow Pitta

A0352: Pitta versicolor
Noisy Pitta

W0539: Malurus amabilis
Lovely Fairy-wren

S0529: Malurus cyaneus
Superb Fairy-wren
Blue Wren

U0538: Malurus elegans – Red-winged Fairy-wren
Q0536: Malurus lamberti – Variegated Fairy-wren
Z0535: Malurus leucopterus – White-winged Fairy-wren
K0541: Malurus melanocephalus – Red-backed Fairy-wren
Y0540: Malurus pulcherrimus – Blue-breasted Fairy-wren
Y0532: Malurus splendens – Splendid Fairy-wren
C0513: Amytornis striatus – Striated Grasswren
C0493: Sericornis citreogularis – Yellow-throated Scrubwren
Y0488: Sericornis frontalis – White-browed Scrubwren
Q0640: Acanthagenys rufogularis – Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater
E0646: Philemon citreogularis – Little Friarbird
C0645: Philemon corniculatus – Noisy Friarbird
S0641: Entomyzon cyanotis – Blue-faced Honeyeater
W0619: Lichenostomus melanops – Yellow-tufted Honeyeater
S0625: Lichenostomus penicillatus – White-plumed Honeyeater
K0605: Meliphaga lewinii – Lewin’s Honeyeater
M0586: Myzomela sanguinolenta - Scarlet Honeyeater
Q0632: Phylidonyris nigra – White-cheeked Honeyeater
Z0631 Phylidonyris novaehollandiae – New Holland Honeyeater
G0591 Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris – Eastern Spinebill
Q0448 Epthianura albifrons White-fronted Chat
E0450 Epthianura aurifrons – Orange Chat
S0449 Ephthianura tricolor – Crimson Chat
Q0392 Eopsaltria australis - Eastern Yellow Robin
K0381 Petroica goodenovii – Red-capped Robin
Y0380 Petroica multicolor - Scarlet Robin
M0382 Petroica phoenicea – Flame Robin
A0572 Nectarinia jugularis – Yellow-bellied Sunbird
Q0640 Acanthagenys rufogularis – Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater
S0421 Psophodes olivaceus – Eastern Whipbird
G0671 Oriolus sagittatus – Olive-backed Oriole
A0432 Sphecotheres viridis – Figbird
U0546 Artamus cinereus – Black-faced Woodswallow
W0547 Artamus cyanopterus – Dusky Woodswallow
S0545 Artamus superciliosus – White-browed Woodswallow
Z0675 Struthidea cinerea – Apostlebird
Q0676 Ailuroedus crassirostris – Green Catbird
Y0680 Chlamydera maculata - Spotted Bowerbird
W0679 Ptilonorhynchus violaceus – Satin Bowerbird
Q0684 Sericulus chrysocephalus – Regent Bowerbird
A0564 Dicaeum hirundinaceum – Mistletoebird
E0574 Zosterops lateralis – Silvereye
M0674 Aplonis metallica – Metallic Starling



Class 1 and Companion Bird Licences in NSW

A Class 1 Bird Keeper Licence or Companion Bird Licence covers many common species of native bird that are usually obtained from licensed pet shops and require only a basic knowledge of bird care to be successfully raised and maintained in captivity.

You must contact National Parks and Wildlife Service to purchase a Class 1, or Companion Bird Licence before you purchase any of the species of native bird, classified under these licences. National Parks and Wildlife Service can issue your Class 1 Licence for either two or five years. To maintain your Class 1 Licence you must maintain complete records of your birds, which must be submitted to the National Parks and Wildlife Service in July of each year. National Parks and Wildlife Service will issue your Companion Bird Licence for five years, and you must notify them about the source of the bird, which you require the licence for.

The following species may be kept under a CLASS 1 BIRD KEEPER LICENCE OR COMPANION BIRD LICENCE.

FINCHES

Z0659: Heteromun apectoralis
Pictorella Mannikin
Pictorella
White-breasted Finch

K0657: Lonchura castaneothorax
Chestnut-breasted Mannikin
Chestnut-breasted Finch
Chestnut-breasted Munia
Barley Sparrow

M0658: Lonchura flaviprymna
Yellow-rumped Mannikin
White-headed Finch
Yellow-rumped Munia
Yellow-tailed Finch

C0661: Neochmia modesta
Plum-headed Finch
Plumhead

Y0664: Neochmia phaeton
Crimson Finch
Blood Finch

E0662: Neochmia temporalis
Red-browed Finch
Redhead
Sydney Waxbill

M0666: Poephila acuticauda
Long-tailed Finch
Black-heart Finch
Heck’s Finch

Z0667: Poephila cincta
Black-throated Finch
Chocolate Parson
Diggles Finch
Parson Finch
Black-rumped Parson
White-rumped Parson

S0669: Poephila personata
Masked Finch
White-eared Finch
White-cheeked Masked Finch
Cape York Masked Finch

A0652: Stagonopleura guttata
Diamond Firetail
Diamond Sparrow
Spotted-sided Finch

G0655: Taeniopygia bichenovii
Double-barred Finch
Banded Finch
Banded Owl Finch
Bicheno’s Finch
Black-banded Finch
Owl-faced Finch

COCKATOOS
Any transactions of COCKATOO species listed under CLASS 1 licence require written notification of from both parties within 10 days of all transaction. This is in addition to the annual submitting of all fauna records, every July.

U0270: Cacatua leadbeateri
Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo
Leadbeater’s Cockatoo
Pink Cockatoo
Wee Juggler

Y0268: Callocephalon fimbriatum
Gang-gang Cockatoo

A0264: Calyptorhynchus banksii
Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Banksian Cockatoo
Red-tailed Cockatoo

E0266: Calyptorhynchus baudinii
Long-billed Black-Cockatoo
Baudin’s Cockatoo
White-tailed Black Cockatoo

G0267: Calyptorhynchus funereus
Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo
Funereal Cockatoo
Yellow-eared Cockatoo

C0265: Calyptorhynchus lathami
Glossy Black-Cockatoo
Casuarina Cockatoo
Leach’s Black Cockatoo

S0794: Calyptorhynchus latirostris
Short-billed Black-Cockatoo
Carnaby’s Cockatoo
White-tailed Black Cockatoo

LORIKEETS

G0259: Glossopsitta porphyrocephala
Purple-crowned Lorikeet
Blue Keet / Lorikeet

Q0260: Glossopsitta pusilla
Little Lorikeet
Gizzle
Little Keet / Lory
Red-faced Keet / Lorikeet

C0257: Psitteuteles versicolor
Varied Lorikeet
Red-crowned Lorikeet
Red-capped Lorikeet

ROSELLAS

K0285: Platycercus caledonicus
Green Rosella
Tasmanian Rosella

E0282: Platycercus elegans
Crimson Rosella
Mountain Lowrie

Z0287: Platycercus venustus
Northern Rosella
Smutty Rosella

GRASS PARROTS

A0300: Psephotus chrysopterygius
Golden-shouldered Parrot
Ant-bed Parrot
Golden-winged Parrot

Q0296: Psephotus varius
Mulga Parrot
Many-coloured Parrot
Varied Grass Parrot

M0306: Neophema chrysostoma
Blue-winged Parrot
Blue-banded Grass Parrot/Parakeet
Hobart Ground Parrot

Q0308: Neophema petrophila
Rock Parrot
Rock Elegant Parrot / Parrakeet

E0302: Neophema pulchella Turquoise Parrot
Beautiful Grass Parrot / Parakeet
Red-shouldered Grass Parrot
Turk
Turquisine Parrot

S0297: Northiella haematogaster
Blue Bonnet (except N.h.narethae)
Bulloak Parrot
Crimson-bellied Parrot
Eastern Blue Bonnet
Oak Parrot
Pine Parrot
Red-vented Blue Bonnet

U0298: Northiella narethae Naretha
Blue Bonnet
Little Blue Bonnet
Naretha Parrot

OTHER PARROTS

C0281: Alisterus scapularis
Australian King-Parrot
King Parrot

A0280: Aprosmictus erythropterus
Red-winged Parrot
Crimson-winged Parrot

G0291: Barnardius zonarius barnardi
Mallee Ringneck
Buln Buln
Eastern Ringneck
Mallee Parrot

Y0292: Barnardius zonarius macgillivrayi
Cloncurry Parrot
Cloncurry Ringneck

K8029: Eclectus roratus macgilivrayi
Australian Eclectus Parrot

M0278: Polytelis anthopeplus
Regent Parrot
Murray Smoker
Rock Pebbler

K0277: Polytelis swainsonii
Superb Parrot
Barraband
Green Leek

S0309: Lathamus discolor
Swift Parrot
Clink
Red-faced Parrot
Red-shouldered Parrot
Swift Lorikeet

PIGEONS AND DOVES

A0028: Columba leucomela
White-headed Pigeon
Baldy Pigeon

U0042: Geophaps plumifera
Spinifex Pigeon
Plumed Pigeon

G0039: Geophaps scripta
Squatter Pigeon

W0035: Phaps elegans
Brush Bronzewing
Little Bronzewing

A0036: Phaps histrionica
Flock Bronzewing
Flock Pigeon

K0021: Ptilinopus regina
Rose-crowned Fruit-Dove
Red-crowned Fruit Dove

QUAILS

S0017: Turnix melanogaster
Black-breasted Button-quail
Black-breasted Quail / Turnix



Exempt Species of Native Bird in NSW, Australia

In New South Wales all native birds are protected by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Act.
It is illegal to take any native birds from the wild.
All exotic (non-native) birds may be held without a licence and 41 native bird species have been exempted from this licensing. They are as follows:

PARROTS

  • Bourke’s Parrot,
  • Budgerigar,
  • Cockatiel,
  • Cockatoo – Sulphur-crested,
  • Corella – Little,
  • Corella – Long-billed,
  • Corella -Western,
  • Elegant Parrot,
  • Galah,
  • Hooded Parrot,
  • Lorikeet – Musk,
  • Lorikeet – Rainbow,
  • Lorikeet – Red-collared,
  • Lorikeet – Scaly-breasted,
  • Port Lincoln Parrot,
  • Princess Parrot,
  • Red-capped Parrot,
  • Red-rumped Parrot,
  • Rosella – Adelaide,
  • Rosella – Eastern,
  • Rosella – Pale-headed,
  • Rosella – Western,
  • Rosella – Yellow,
  • Scarlet-chested Parrot,
  • Twenty-eight Parrot,

DOVES & PIGEONS

  • Bar-shouldered Dove,
  • Diamond Dove,
  • Emerald Dove,
  • Peaceful Dove,
  • Common Bronzewing,
  • Crested Pigeon,

QUAILS

  • Brown Quail,
  • King Quail,
  • Stubble Quail,
  • Little Button-Quail,
  • Painted Button-Quail,

FINCHES

  • Blue-faced Parrot-Finch,
  • Gouldian Finch,
  • Painted Finch,
  • Star Finch and
  • Zebra Finch.

These 41 native bird species are exempted from NSW licensing requirements, because their wild populations are regarded to be of limited risk from aviculture.These 41 native bird species can be kept and traded withhin NSW without a NSW Bird Keeper Licence.