It is darker on its back and yellowish on its belly. It has a patch of bright greenish yellow on its shoulder and some red in the centre of its wing. It's tail feathers are edged with pinkish-red. In good light the gold and black contrast colours are strikingly beautiful. When flying, the Regent Parrot is swift and graceful and it's tapering tail is prominent.
Immature birds are similar in appearance to adult females.
On leaving the nest, young males usually have a more definite yellowish tinge on their heads in comparison to young females. Full adult plumage is acquired after about 14 to 18 months. The moult is very gradual and the bright yellow feathers on the male's head and breast do not show until the birds are 6 to 8 months old . The subspecies from Western Australia is more greenish yellow. The male birds never attain the bright yellow tint of the eastern birds and the hens are lighter in colour.