Gray-headed Parakeet
Psittacula finschii
As the name suggests, a parakeet with a gray head. Inhabits open forests, but where protected, can also be found in plantations, gardens, and farm edges. Essentially identical to Slaty-headed Parakeet but does not overlap in range. Male has a dark gray head bounded by a thin black collar which widens and curves up at the throat, forming a round-cheeked appearance. Female has a much paler gray head without the collar. Both sexes have bright red bills, overall green plumage, and long, blue-tipped tails.
Identification
Its face is grey/green, and the rest of its head is dull green with faint pale green band below cheeks to hindcrown and its wing are patch absent and has a long tail.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Psittacula finschii
- Authority
- (Hume, 1874)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittaculidae
- Genus
- Psittacula
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Vertical migration
Behavior
The grey headed parakeet has a widely varied diet of different species of leaf buds, seeds, fruit, berries, and flowers. It is often seen in flocks or family parties, with larger groups reported. It is usually a resident bird, with some seasonal altitudinal movement in response to food availability. It often gathers in large flocks to roost at dusk. After their breeding season from January–March, females often lay a clutch of 4-5 eggs that are around 28.5 x 22.0mm.
Conservation
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Roseate Spoonbill
Platalea ajaja
Unique pink wading bird with long, flat, spoon-shaped bill. Adults are mostly pink overall, with scarlet wing patches, orange tail, and bare pale-green head. Immatures are duller than adults but still washed with pale pink. Sometimes mistaken for a flamingo, but note spoonbill's distinctive bill, shorter legs, and shorter neck. Occurs in freshwater and saltwater wetlands from the Gulf Coast of the U.S. through much of South America. Feeds by sifting side-to-side through shallow water. Often in small loose groups, sometimes with other wading birds like storks and herons.
Oriental Honey-buzzard
Pernis ptilorhynchus
A large raptor of lowland and montane broadleaf and mixed forests, this species is well-known for its tendency to congregate in large flocks of up to thousands during migration. Resident populations inhabit tropical forests from lowlands up into montane areas. While showing considerable plumage variation throughout its range, the combination of an unusually small and slender head, long striped tail, broad wings, and well-striped underwings make this species fairly recognizable across a wide area. True to its name, this species is a raider of wasp and bee nests, although it prefers bee and wasp larvae over their honey.
Red-capped Plover
Anarhynchus ruficapillus
Small energetic plover with a fine bill, white underparts, and pale gray back. Lacks breast band. Adult has an obvious rusty-red cap, whereas juvenile has varying reddish tinges on the back of the head. Occurs beside a wide variety of saline wetlands where it moves quickly as it forages along the ground. Common around inland lakes as well as at the coast.
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