Red-cheeked Parrot

1. Male’s rose-pink face and blue-mauve crown with a contrasting red upper mandible

2. Female’s brown head and dusky bill, entirely different from the male

3. Bright blue underwing coverts visible in flight, especially in males

Red-cheeked Parrots feed on seeds, fruits (especially figs), nuts, berries, flower buds, and nectar, with a preference for the seeds of trees such as *Corymbia papuana*, *Casuarina papuana*, and scaly ash (*Ganophyllum falcatum*). They are generally shy except when feeding, at which time they gather in noisy, conspicuous groups. Breeding season occurs between August and December. Outside the breeding season, they are usually seen in pairs or small family groups. During breeding, the female excavates a nest in a rotting tree limb and lays a clutch of three eggs. Their swift, direct flight is reminiscent of a starling, and their calls are described as metallic, nasal screeches, and high-pitched squeaks.

In Australia, the Red-cheeked Parrot is restricted to the Cape York Peninsula, favouring lowland wet forests below 800 meters elevation. It is also widespread in New Guinea, Indonesia, and nearby islands. The species prefers primary and secondary forests, often along streams, and is rarely seen in open habitats. It typically stays high in the rainforest canopy, where it feeds on fruits and seeds