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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