Critically Endangered

A tiny migratory parrot whose survival depends on a chain of habitats across Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia.

Quick facts to share

It is one of the world’s few migratory parrots.
The Orange-bellied Parrot breeds in south-west Tasmania, then crosses Bass Strait to spend winter along the coasts of Victoria and South Australia.

Recent counts show how fragile the population still is.
In early 2026, 86 Orange-bellied Parrots were recorded returning to Tasmania. For a whole species, that number is still incredibly small.

Its 2026 migration brought hopeful news.
More than 165 Orange-bellied Parrots left Melaleuca for their annual northern migration in June 2026, including returning adults, wild-born juveniles and captive-bred juveniles released to support the population.

Every part of its journey matters.
Breeding grounds, winter habitat and migration routes all play a role in its survival.

About the bird

The Orange-bellied Parrot (Neophema chrysogaster) is a small Australian parrot with grassy green plumage, a yellow chest, flashes of blue on the wings and brow, and the small orange belly patch that gives the species its name.

It breeds at Melaleuca in south-west Tasmania, one of the most remote breeding sites of any Australian parrot, before spending winter along coastal areas of Victoria and South Australia.

For a bird around 20 cm long, its story travels a long way.

Extended read

Why LYFER chose this bird

The Orange-bellied Parrot is small, bright and easy to overlook, but its story is huge. It crosses Bass Strait, depends on fragile habitats, and reminds us how connected birds are to the landscapes they move through.

Through the LYFER Endangered Birds Range, we are helping carry the story of the Orange-bellied Parrot into everyday conversation.

The colours behind the piece

The Orange-bellied Parrot’s grassy green, yellow, blue and orange plumage inspired the Orange-bellied Parrot pieces in the LYFER Endangered Birds Range.

The tee does not simply feature the bird. It draws from the bird’s own colours to create something connected to the species behind it.

Why the Orange-bellied Parrot is at risk

The Orange-bellied Parrot has one of Australia’s smallest wild bird populations. Its numbers have remained extremely low, and the species faces ongoing pressure from habitat loss and degradation, disease, predators, weeds, climate change and the demands of migration.

Because the population is so small, every bird counts. A difficult breeding season, poor migration conditions, disease outbreak or habitat loss can have a serious impact on the future of the species.

How Zoos Victoria is helping

Through the Endangered Birds Range, LYFER supports Zoos Victoria, with 10% of sales from the Orange-bellied Parrot pieces going towards their conservation work for the species.

Zoos Victoria plays an important role in the recovery of the Orange-bellied Parrot. Their work includes maintaining a captive population as a safeguard against extinction in the wild, researching the species’ migration, and supporting annual releases and over-winter ranching.

This work forms part of a bigger conservation effort to give the Orange-bellied Parrot a future in the wild.

Image: David Stowe