The Mallee Ringneck - Barnardius zonarius barnardi - is one of several subspecies of the Australian Parrot - Barnardius zonarius, each with a different local name. Subspecies differ in appearance, calls and other details including preferred habitat. All versions are mainly green with a yellow collar and long, tapering tails. There is hybridisation along the boundary between subspecies so characteristics are spread across boundaries. Reaches 34 to 38 centimetres in length.
barnardi - "Mallee Ringneck" has a green head, blue cheeks, red frontal band, yellow collar, dark blue mantle. Orange-yellow lower breast. Feeds in trees and on the ground on seeds and flowers. Flies low and fast near the ground, swooping up with tail spread to alight. Found southern Queensland, New South Wales, northern Victoria, eastern South Australia. Lives in mallee, mulga scrub, eucalyptus woodland, river gums along watercourses, farmland with scattered trees. Sedentary or locally nomadic; common but reduced in some areas by clearing.