Flying green gems of the outback: budgies are Australia's most misunderstood birds | Barry Traill

I only knew them as mild creatures in neat little cages. Witnessing them wild and free, I saw their true beautyo Cast your vote in bird of the year 2019 hereI grew up surrounded by birds, and especially lots of parrots. My birdwatching-filled boyhood in Gippsland had many wondrous moments watching rosellas and king parrots slashing through the air with their varying and gobsmacking liveries of bright reds, blues and greens. In the paddocks, loud clouds of white cockatoos screeched above me. Over the forests, black cockatoos wailed as they flew slowly past on their long, pterodactyl-like wings. Related: Australian bird of the year 2019: vote for your favourite #BirdOfTheYear Continue reading...