Brown-headed Parrots
Poicephalus
The Brown-headed Parrot (Poicephalus cryptoxanthus) is endemic in Southeastern Africa, from Swaziland, Zululand and Natal across northeastern Transvaal north to southern Mozambique and southeast Zimbabwe. It's endangered in its natural habitat (CITES II).
Description:
The Brown-headed Parrot averages 22 cm (8.5 ins) in length and has a wing length of about 145 - 165 mm (5.5 - 6.5 ins).
The general plumage is green. The head and nape (lower back of the neck) are dusky brown turning green on the upper back. The breast, abdomen and under tail-coverts are pale green, with faint blue marking in some birds. The lower back is pale green. Parts of the wing bend, under wing-coverts and in some birds where thighs join the body yellow markings may be seen. The outer webs of primaries (longest wing feathers) are blue. The tail upperside is olive-brown with green edging and tips. The underside is grey.
The irides (= plural of iris) are yellow with a grey periophthalmic ring. The upper beak is grey with pale base. The lower beak is pale horn-colored. The feet are grey.
Immatures as adults, but duller; head, nape (lower back of the neck) and upper breast with olive-yellow tinge; iris dark brown; the lower beak and cere are pink.
Breeding:
- Average Clutch Size: 2 - 4 eggs
- Incubation days: 26
Species Names:
Scientific: Poicephalus cryptoxanthus cryptoxanthus ... English: Brown-headed Parrot ... Dutch: Bruinkoppapegaai ... German: Braunkopfpapagei ... French: Perroquet à tête brune
Sub-species:
Tansanian Brown-headed Parrots:
Species: Scientific: Poicephalus cryptoxanthus tanganyikae ... English: Tanzanian Brown-headed Parrot ... Dutch: Tanzania Bruinkoppapegaai ... German: Tansania Braunkopfpapagei ... French: Perroquet à tête brune de Tanzania
Description: As cryptoxanthus, but head more olive-brown; ear-coverts with slight silvery tinge; breast, abdome and under tail-coverts yellowish-green; upper back virtually completely green with pale edging; lower back yellowish-green. Immatures as nominate type ... Length: 22 cm (8.5 ins), wing length 145 - 160 mm (5.5 - 6.25 ins)
Distribution: Mozambique north of Save River, southern Mali, eastern Tanzania and most southeastern part of Kenia. CITES II - Endangered Species
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 2 - click on link to view photo.)
Zanzibar Brown-headed Parrots:
Species: Scientific: Poicephalus cryptoxanthus zanzibaricus ... English: Zanzibar Brown-headed Parrot ... Dutch: Zanzibar Bruinkoppapegaai ... German: Sansibar Braunkopfpapagei ... French: Perroquet à tête brune de Zanzibar
Description: As cryptoxanthus, but head more olive-brown; ear-coverts with slight silvery tinge; breast, abdomen and under tail-coverts yellowish-green; upper back almost completely green with pale edging; lower back yellowish-green; larger ... Length: 23 cm (9 ins), winglength 146 - 173 mm (5.75 - 7 ins)
Distribution: Zanzibar and Pemba Islands CITES II - Endangered Species
Related Websites: Lexicon of Parrots (Please scroll down to no. 3 - click on link to view photo.)
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