Nicobar Parakeet
Psittacula caniceps
A large green parakeet with a gray head. Note the thick black eye-stripe and the black “bearded” appearance. The bill is entirely red in males, while the upper bill is black in females. Often found in small groups that feed on fruits in tall trees. Restricted to the evergreen forests of the Nicobar Islands. The call is a loud, raspy shriek.
Identification
It is predominantly green with a yellowish-grey head and prominent black facial markings. It has a black stripe from the forehead to the eyes and a broad black band extending from the lower mandible to the sides of the neck. The iris is reddish-orange. The upper mandible is red in males and black in females, while the lower mandible is black in both sexes. Females, in addition, have a higher presence of blue hinted facial feathers.<p>It is listed as near threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Very little is known about its ecology. However, it is known that these species reside in the tall leafy trees on these islands and have a preference for the fruit of Pandanus palms trees. Its conservation status is near threatened as human settlement is increasing resulting in a decline of resources for their habitats and also because of the popularity of including them in the caged bird trade.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Psittacula caniceps
- Authority
- (Blyth, 1846)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittaculidae
- Genus
- Psittacula
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Pipile jacutinga
Rare, threatened, and spectacularly-plumaged black-and-white guan with a long black tail. Head is striking with bold white eyering and shaggy white cap contrasting with its red and blue wattle, its blue, black-tipped bill, and its black face. Usually seen in the canopy of large and well-preserved patches of montane and lowland Atlantic Forest. The song is a high-pitched rising whistle, but also often makes distinctive wing-whirrs like other guans.
Double-collared Seedeater
Sporophila caerulescens
Very small finchlike bird of forest edges, shrubby areas, and agricultural areas. Males have a white mustache and collar along with a black chin and chest band giving the impression of a double collar. Note the male’s yellow bill. Gray above and white below. Females are plain brown with a bicolored bill.
Golden-collared Honeycreeper
Iridophanes pulcherrimus
Small tanager of Andean cloud forest. Colorful male has black upperparts broken by a golden hind collar, pale blue underparts, and a blue stripe on the wing. Female is much plainer and may appear featureless when seen in dim light. Look for a grayish face, hint of a golden collar, blue or green tinge to the wings, and red eyes. Forages in middle to upper levels of the forest and often joins mixed-species flocks. Visits feeders in some areas.
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