All Parrots and Parakeets

Family: PSITTACIDAE

Parrots are a large, diverse family of colourful birds found throughout the world's tropics and Australia. They have large heads, powerful hooked beaks, and strong flexible feet with two toes pointing backwards. They nest in tree holes and feed mostly on fruit, seeds, and pollen. Their flight is fast, and their calls are harsh and piercing.

Nine species are recorded in the Greater Sundas.

Blue Rumped Parrot (Psittinus cyanurus)

Description: Smallish (18 cm), green parrot with rounded tail. Distinguished from Hanging-parrots by much larger size, and from Lorikeets by short tail. Male has diagnostic blue head, blackish back, red shoulder patch, blue lower back and rump, and red bill. Female has brown head, less blue on back, and a brown bill. Immatures are green. In flight underwing is blackish with red underwing coverts and axillaries.

Iris - yellow; bill - red (male), brown (female); feet - blue-grey.

Voice: High-pitched, sharp chi, chi, chi or chew-ee chittering calls, and melodious trills.

Distribution and status: A common bird of lowland forest, swamp forest, mangroves, and cultivated areas, up to 700 m.

Habits: Flies fast and direct over upper canopy. Lives in small flocks. Prefers open canopy.

Long-tailed Parakeet (Psittacula longicanda)

 Description: Largish (40 cm) parrot with very long tapering tail and green breast. Male: green crown, red sides of head, and bold black moustachial stripe; mantle washed pale blue; yellow-tipped tail, and wings bluish. Female: duller, with greenish moustache and no blue on back. In flight the wing lining is yellow. Distinguished from Red-breasted Parakeet by green underparts and red sides of head.

Iris - greenish yellow; bill - red with horn tip; feet - grey.

Voice: Harsh, strident screeches given from treetops and in flight.

Distribution and status: Locally common in coastal and lowland areas in open forests, plantations, forested swamps, and secondary forests, up to 300 m.

Habits: Flies fast in large flocks between feeding sites and roosts. Congregates in huge numbers at coastal roost sites.