Crimson Shining-Parrot
Prosopeia splendens
A large, brightly colored parrot with a red head and underside and a bright green upperside with a blue hind neck and tail. Occurs in a variety of habitats. Similar to Red Shining-Parrot, but has brighter red underparts and head with duller brownish orange eye; the two occur on nearby islands but do not overlap. Voice is typical of parrots, including a variety of nasal “erh” and “grrraah” calls.
Identification
The crimson shining parrot (Prosopeia splendens) is a parrot from Fiji. The species is endemic to the islands of Kadavu and Ono in the Kadavu Group. The species was once considered conspecific with the red shining parrot of Vanua Levu and Taveuni, but is now considered its own species. The species is sometimes known as the Kadavu musk parrot. The crimson shining parrot is a medium-sized parrot (45 cm) with a long tail and bright plumage. The head, breast and belly are covered in bright crimson-red, its back, wings and tail are green with hints of blue in the wing. It has a long winged appearance in flight, flying with undulating bouts of flaps and gliding. The species is very vocal; the shrieks and squawks of the crimson shining parrot are of a higher pitch than that of the red shining parrot. On Kadavu it is unlikely to be mistaken for the other species of parrot, the collared lory. The crimson shining parrot is a common forest species that has recently taken to entering gardens and agricultural land. Pairs forage for seeds and fruits. The species has not been observed nesting but is assumed to be a hole nester like red shining parrot. The species is considered to be Near Threatened by the IUCN due to its restricted range, habitat loss and the illegal trade in parrots.
Taxonomy
Genus: Prosopeia; Family: Psittaculidae; Order: Psittaciformes.
- Scientific name
- Prosopeia splendens
- Authority
- (Peale, 1849)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittaculidae
- Genus
- Prosopeia
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Migration pattern: Resident species.
Conservation
- Population trend
- unknown
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
Uniform Crake
Amaurolimnas concolor
Larger than most crakes. Found in wet forests instead of marshes. Very difficult to see as it creeps through dense understory. Far more easily heard: a series of upslurred whistled notes. Look for a brown bird with richer rufous underparts, a dull greenish-yellowish bill, and reddish legs. Favors dense wet forest or thickets, often but not always near a swamp or stream.
Mottled Spinetail
Telacanthura ussheri
Medium-sized swift with erratic flight. Note the dark underparts and white rump patch, which separate it from other spinetails. Seen on the wing over moist savannah, woodland, and gallery forest. Often in areas with baobabs, which are a favored nesting site. Usually solo or in pairs. Similar in appearance to Little Swift, but Mottled Spinetail shows a pale band across the bottom of the belly, and flies more weakly, with the wings pushed forwards.
Goliath Heron
Ardea goliath
This enormous heron stands 1.5 meters tall and has a robust, dagger-like bill. The immature has rustier upperwings than the adult. Its flight is ponderous and labored. Goliath Heron inhabits large rivers, marshes, estuaries, and mangroves, hunting for large fish and other animals, stabbing them with an open bill. It has a distinct, barking “kowoork” call that can be heard from up to 2 km away. Purple Heron has similar plumage, but Goliath Heron is twice the size, has a much larger bill, and has a rufous (not blackish) top of the head.
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