Red-headed Parrotfinch
Samoa Papageiamadine ( Erythrura cyaneovirens )
The Samoan Papageiamadine ( Erythrura cyaneovirens ), also called short-tailed Papageiamadine, is a species in the family of finches. We distinguish several subspecies. At issue was a long time whether the Peale - Papageiamadine and the king - Papageiamadine represent subspecies of the Samoan Papageiamadine. Meanwhile, they are generally recognized as separate species because of their strong eco- ethological differentiation.
Despite the relatively small area of distribution and the associated inventory risk due to habitat loss the Samoan Papageiamadine by IUCN is classified as unthreatened species.
Description
The males of the Samoan Papageiamadine have blackish eyes reins and a crimson head and sides of the head. In the neck, a blue ribbon, which merges into the blue green of the back runs. The throat and breast are washed out blue, tinged with the body bottom is green and more or less blue. The rear rump and upper tail-coverts are red. The tail is short, with the middle tail feathers are düsterrot and the other tail-feathers blackish brown. The eyes are brown, and the beak is black.
There are only minor differences between males and females. Basically, the females are somewhat lighter colored and slightly duller and have a more greenish tone on the body base on.
Circulation area and way of life
The distribution area of the Samoa Papageiamadine are the Samoa Islands. The nominate (E. c. Cyanovirens ) populated Upolu and Western Samoa. The subspecies E. c. gaughrani occurs only on Savaii. Your preferred habitat is forest clearings and secondary bush. It also occurs on pastures and plantations. In contrast, it is absent in the densely populated coastal zone. It eats mainly seeds of herbaceous plants and insects and their larvae.
The nest is spherical. Otherwise hardly Field observations on the reproductive behavior are. When maintained in captivity Samoa Papageiamadinen the nest consisted of three to four eggs. Both parents incubate and birds are both day and night often together in the nest. Incubation period is about 14 days and the nestling period lasts 22 days. On the young birds flown immediately fly very well and are able to land safely on branches. Return at night no longer in the brood nest back and should start two to three days after leaving the nest, picking out of semi- mature Hirserispen individual grains. You are self-employed with about three weeks. Samoa Papageiamadinen are extremely precocious birds. Two well-kept in captivity females have already been laid with an age of three and a half months eggs and young birds that had not yet completed their first year of life have themselves successfully reared young birds.