Greater Bluebonnet

1. Blue face and forehead contrasting with brown upperparts

2. Bright yellow belly with a central red patch

3. Blue wing flashes and red shoulder patches visible in flight

Greater Bluebonnets are primarily ground foragers, feeding on seeds from saltbush, acacia, and native herbs throughout the year. Breeding season is from July to December. Pairs nest in tree hollows, often preferring narrow splits in trunks that provide protection from predators. The female lays 4–7 eggs and is solely responsible for incubation, while the male feeds her at the nest entrance. Chicks fledge about 3 days after hatching.

Look for Greater Bluebonnets in open woodlands dominated by mallee, acacia, and eucalyptus, especially where saltbush grows beneath scattered trees. They are found across inland eastern and central-southern Australia, including parts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, and eastern Western Australia. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to observe them as they forage in pairs or small groups on the ground. They are wary and flush easily, so scanning from a distance is recommended.