Brown-headed Parrot
Brown-headed Parrot ( Poicephalus cryptoxanthus )
The brown-headed Parrot ( Poicephalus cryptoxanthus ) is a species of bird in the genus of the long wing parrots. Together with the other species of this genus as well as the Grey Parrot, the lovebirds, the Rose-ringed Parakeet and endemic to Madagascar Vasa Parrots counts this type to the typical parrot species of the Afrotropical. He lives in the south-eastern Africa, including the Eastern Transvaal, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Malawi, Tanzania and Kenya. In some regions, brown-headed parrots are still common.
Description
Brown-headed parrots have a bleak brown head and Halsbefiederung. The ear-coverts are silvery gray. The underside of the body and the rump, however, are green. The feathers of the wings are dark gray and have either a lighter hem or brown inner webs. The under wing-coverts are yellow. The tail feathers are Olive Drab, with a green border and a green top. The upper beak is blue-gray and the lower mandible has a light horn color. The iris of the birds is dark yellow and slightly gray, the feet are gray black. The approximately 22 -inch-long brown-headed parrots weigh between 120 and 160 grams.
Way of life
The brown-headed parrot inhabits similar to Goldbugpapagei, different habitats in southeastern Africa. It prefers low-lying there, dry forest areas. In Southern Africa he is often spotted in areas where the vegetation has many baobab trees. In Mozambique and Zululand in the way also inhabited areas in the immediate vicinity of cultivated land and Acacia bushland. Brown-headed parrots are site- faithful birds and undertake only local walks that are dependent on the food supply. They typically live in small groups of four to twelve birds. Depending on the annual cycle, motivation and food availability, the parrots are occasionally but individual found in pairs or in groups of up to 40 birds.
The flight of the brown-headed parrots is fast and direct. The birds appear here very striking, especially by their unmistakable Stimmfühlungslaute and through the yellow under wing-coverts, which are visible in the sky. During feeding, they are, however, difficult to discern because they eat relatively quiet and protected from observers by branches and foliage. The birds feed mainly on seeds, fruits, nuts, berries and nectar. Brown head parrot looking at in addition to cereal, corn fields and coconut plantations.
Brown-headed parrots and people
Brown-headed parrots were imported to Europe in the 19th century for the first time. However, in comparison to the likewise belonging to the genus of the long wing parrots parrots Mohrenkopf they rarely get into the trade. As with all parrots also applies to this type that they should only be kept in pairs in aviaries.
The systematic position within the genus Poicephalus
The following cladogram shows the genus Poicephalus with their respective degrees of relationship. It lacks the Niam - Niam Parrot ( Poicephalus crassus ), whose species status is disputed.
Poicephalus gulielmi
Poicephalus robustus
Poicephalus fuscicollis
Poicepalus flavifrons
Poicephalus senegalus
Poicephalus rufiventris
Poicephalus cryptoxanthus
Poicephalus meyeri
Poicephalus rueppellii
The following sub- types are attributed to the brown-headed parrot:
- Poicephalus cryptoxanthus cryptoxanthus
- Poicephalus cryptoxanthus tanganyikae
- Poicephalus cryptoxanthus zanzibaricus