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
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