Rüppell's Parrot

Rüppell Parrot ( Poicephalus rueppellii )

The Rüppell Parrot ( Poicephalus rueppellii ) and Rüppell Blausteißpapagei or just called Blausteißpapagei, is a species of parrot in the genus of the long wing parrots ( Poicephalus ).

Description

The Rüppell Parrot is 22-25 cm long and reaches a weight of 100-130 g Its plumage is mainly dark gray-brown with yellow shoulders, under wing-coverts and yellow " stockings " and bend of wing yellow. The under tail-coverts and rump are blue - hence often called " Blausteißpapagei " - and this blue color is much more intense in the female, and also includes the lower abdomen. The beak is black and gray, the iris red-orange and the feet dark gray.

Young birds lack the yellow spot on the shoulders.

Dissemination

The Rüppell Parrot occurs in the northern and central parts of Namibia and Angola in the south. It lives mainly dry forest areas where it is particularly to be found on trees near river banks or river beds. In addition, the birds apparently prefer euphorbia forests.

Way of life

The Rüppell parrot usually live in small groups of up to 20 animals in times of abundant food supply may cause the merger of large swarms. The flight of birds is fast and direct, when the birds are on the run, their flight is accompanied by a shrill piercing whistle, which varies in pitch and intensity. The diet consists of insect larvae, berries and young Pflanzenschösslingen, seeds and buds. Their preferred food plants include various Acacia species.

Voice

The voice is quite pleasant and not very loud. The birds can mimic human speech.

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

Swell