Masked Shining-Parrot
Prosopeia personata
A distinctive large bright green parrot with a black face and a rough-edged yellow chest and belly. Occurs in a variety of habitats. Black face and yellow chest separate it from the similarly sized Crimson and Red Shining-Parrots. Voice is typical of parrots, including a variety of nasal “erh” and “grrraah” calls.
Identification
It is 47 cm long and weighs 322 g. It has a black mask on its face, and has a mainly bright green body. The center of its breast is yellow, turning into orange towards the abdomen. The outer webs of the primary feathers on the wing are blue or purple. Its tail feathers are green, and washed with blue.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Prosopeia personata
- Authority
- (Gray, GR, 1848)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittaculidae
- Genus
- Prosopeia
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Parrot-billed Sparrow
Passer gongonensis
A drab sparrow of northeastern Africa. The head and underparts are gray, the wing and back are brown, and the rump is rufous. Found in dry thorn savanna and woodland, sometimes around human habitation. Very similar to Swainson's Sparrow and Northern Gray-headed Sparrow, but slightly larger and heavier-billed, with darker underparts. The calls include squealing notes and a low “churp.”
Pied Monarch
Arses kaupi
Small black-and-white flycatcher found in wetter forests of northern Queensland. White underparts except for black breast band, with black mask, tail, and wings, blue eyering, and back back with white band. Rear of head has large puffy white collar (like a space helmet). Compare Frill-necked Monarch, which lacks black breast band and has more black under chin. Forages treecreeper-style, moving up and down tree trunks looking for insects in the bark. Calls include a fast repeated whistle.
Lineated Woodpecker
Dryocopus lineatus
Large ‘woody woodpecker’ of tropical forest in lowlands and foothills. Also ranges into semi-open areas with tall trees, mangroves, and other lightly wooded habitats. The tufted red crest and black face distinguish it from adult Pale-billed Woodpecker, which often occurs in the same areas. Also note that the white ‘braces’ on the back of Lineated are widely spaced, unlike Pale-billed. Laughing call suggests a flicker, and very unlike calls of Pale-billed.
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