Ouvea Parakeet
Eunymphicus uvaeensis
Spectacular, relatively large mostly green parakeet with a black face, slight bit of red on the forehead, and thin but prominent “horns” consisting of a crest made up of a pair of black feathers. Typically found in remnant patches of high-quality forest, but visits more disturbed habitat nearby, especially where fruiting trees are present. Found only on Ouvea Island off New Caledonia. Note distinctive voice: relatively low-pitched, nasal trumpeting notes, notably lower-pitched than the voice of Coconut Lorikeet.
Identification
The Ouvea parakeet is a medium-sized parakeet with mostly green plumage and a prominent green crest. The crest is composed of six backward feathers that curl forwards. The underside of the bird tends to be yellower and there is bright blue on the wings and tail. The face is dark and the beak is black, lacking the yellow on the face of the horned parakeet.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Eunymphicus uvaeensis
- Authority
- (Layard, EL & Layard, ELC, 1882)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittaculidae
- Genus
- Eunymphicus
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Other Birds
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Roberts's Warbler
Oreophilais robertsi
A dull gray-brown prinia-like warbler with a long and graduated tail, pale gray throat, ochre eyes, and pinkish legs. Pairs and family groups may join mixed-species flocks, foraging studiously through the lower branches of forest, undergrowth and bracken, forest edge, and occasionally pausing to chatter in unison. Often groups call a repeated high-pitched nagging “nyerk-nyerk-nyerk…” and other buzzing notes, always less guttural than babblers. Within its range the similar-looking Chirinda Apalis is grayer than Robert’s Warbler, with a white-tipped tail, different call, and a tendency to remain in the canopy.
Sooty-capped Hermit
Phaethornis augusti
Large, brownish hummingbird with a long tail. Pale gray below with strong facial markings and a contrasting rufous rump; broad white tail feather tips are a key field mark. Occurs in dry forest and along savanna edge, where it visits widely spaced nectar sources and is often seen moving rapidly between them. Notably curious and will often stop to assess a person before quickly moving on; amount of white in tail is especially evident as bird flies away. Males sing from low perches; song consists of two squeaking notes followed by three faster, higher-pitched ones, given in alternation, over and over. Flight call is a loud squeak, similar to other large hermits. Best told from Long-tailed and Great-billed hermits by paler, grayer coloration and extensive white in tail.
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