Neophema
Encyclopedia
The genus
Neophema is an Australia
n genus of broad-tailed parrot
s with six or seven species. They are small parakeets with a more or less dull green basic color with some contrasting colorful patches, and are commonly known as grass parrots. The genus has some sexual dichromatism, males having more and brighter color patches.
There are 6 or 7 species:
Depending on the author, Neopsephotus bourkii (Bourke's Parrot
) may also be considered a member of this genus.
Sometimes the broad-tailed parrots are considered a subfamily. In this case, Neophema and Bourke's Parrot are united in the tribe
Neophemini. mtDNA sequence
data (Miyaki et al. 1998) suggests that the former may be correct, but the latter almost certainly isn't. Rather, it appears, the group would need to include more closely related forms, such as the budgerigar
and the Pezoporus
ground-parrots.
.
They are certainly not "beginner's birds" and will usually not thrive if they are not provided with a spacious aviary
where a small flock can be kept in company of a few other small and harmless birds. It is possible to keep a pair or a single bird in a cage, but they will be sluggish and unhealthy if they are not let out to fly and socialize with humans frequently. Trade in wild-caught specimens is strongly restricted; in any case, these should be rejected because they are extremely tough to accustomize to aviary conditions. It is usually impossible, even for expert aviculturalists, to keep wild-caught birds alive for more than a few months. Captive-bred birds of several species are available, and these are far more hardy, though inexperienced aviculturalists should avoid them nonetheless.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
Neophema is an Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n genus of broad-tailed parrot
Broad-tailed parrot
A broad-tailed parrot is any of about 35–40 species belonging to the tribe Platycercini. The members of the tribe are small to medium in size, and all are native to Australasia, Australia in particular, but also New Zealand, New Caledonia, and nearby islands.-Species:* Genus Prosopeia** Crimson...
s with six or seven species. They are small parakeets with a more or less dull green basic color with some contrasting colorful patches, and are commonly known as grass parrots. The genus has some sexual dichromatism, males having more and brighter color patches.
There are 6 or 7 species:
- Blue-winged ParrotBlue-winged ParrotThe Blue-winged Parrot, Neophema chrysostoma, also known as the Blue-banded Parakeet or Blue-banded Grass-parakeet, is a small parrot found in Tasmania and southeast Australia....
, Neophema chrysostoma - Elegant ParrotElegant ParrotThe Elegant Parrot is a species of parrot in the Psittacidae family.It is endemic to Australia.-Taxonomy:The Elegant Parrot was originally named by the renowned ornithologist and artist John Gould in 1837, its specific name Latin for "elegant"...
, Neophema elegans - Rock ParrotRock ParrotThe Rock Parrot , also known as the Rock Elegant, is a parrot which is endemic to coastal South Australia, southern Western Australia, and that continent's offshore islands, including Rottnest Island. It is a small, predominantly olive-green parrot...
, Neophema petrophila - Orange-bellied ParrotOrange-bellied ParrotThe Orange-bellied Parrot is a small broad-tailed parrot endemic to southern Australia, and one of only two species of parrot which migrate. The adult male is distinguished by its bright grass-green upperparts, yellow underparts and orange belly patch. The adult female and juvenile are duller...
, Neophema chrysogaster - Turquoise ParrotTurquoise ParrotThe Turquoise Parrot is a parrot previously widespread in Eastern Australia, though now mainly found in northeastern New South Wales and north-eastern Victoria....
, Neophema pulchella - Scarlet-chested ParrotScarlet-chested ParrotThe Scarlet-chested Parrot , known alternately as Scarlet-breasted parrot, Orange-throated parrot or Splendid parrot, is a parrot endemic to central South Australia and inland southern Western Australia...
, Neophema splendida
Depending on the author, Neopsephotus bourkii (Bourke's Parrot
Bourke's Parrot
The Bourke's Parrot , also known as the Bourke's Parakeet or "Bourkie", is a small parrot originating in Australia and the only species in its genus Neopsephotus...
) may also be considered a member of this genus.
Sometimes the broad-tailed parrots are considered a subfamily. In this case, Neophema and Bourke's Parrot are united in the tribe
Tribe (biology)
In biology, a tribe is a taxonomic rank between family and genus. It is sometimes subdivided into subtribes.Some examples include the tribes: Canini, Acalypheae, Hominini, Bombini, and Antidesmeae.-See also:* Biological classification* Rank...
Neophemini. mtDNA sequence
DNA sequence
The sequence or primary structure of a nucleic acid is the composition of atoms that make up the nucleic acid and the chemical bonds that bond those atoms. Because nucleic acids, such as DNA and RNA, are unbranched polymers, this specification is equivalent to specifying the sequence of...
data (Miyaki et al. 1998) suggests that the former may be correct, but the latter almost certainly isn't. Rather, it appears, the group would need to include more closely related forms, such as the budgerigar
Budgerigar
The Budgerigar , also known as Common Pet Parakeet or Shell Parakeet informally nicknamed the budgie, is a small, long-tailed, seed-eating parrot, and the only species in the Australian genus Melopsittacus...
and the Pezoporus
Pezoporus
The genus Pezoporus contains three Australian species: the Night Parrot and the cryptic ground parrots, the Eastern Ground Parrot and the Western Ground Parrot . The night parrot was previously separated in a distinct genus, Geopsittacus...
ground-parrots.
Aviculture
The Scarlet-chested Parrot, Turquoise Parrot and Elegant Parrot are all commonly raised and bred in captivity with a number of unusual colour forms arising. The members of this genus are not altogether easy to keep, being tender birds that may die without apparent cause, succumbing to mobbing by more robust aviary mates or diseases. This has hampered captive propagation efforts, e.g. in the case of the critically endangered Orange-bellied ParrotOrange-bellied Parrot
The Orange-bellied Parrot is a small broad-tailed parrot endemic to southern Australia, and one of only two species of parrot which migrate. The adult male is distinguished by its bright grass-green upperparts, yellow underparts and orange belly patch. The adult female and juvenile are duller...
.
They are certainly not "beginner's birds" and will usually not thrive if they are not provided with a spacious aviary
Aviary
An aviary is a large enclosure for confining birds. Unlike cages, aviaries allow birds a larger living space where they can fly; hence, aviaries are also sometimes known as flight cages...
where a small flock can be kept in company of a few other small and harmless birds. It is possible to keep a pair or a single bird in a cage, but they will be sluggish and unhealthy if they are not let out to fly and socialize with humans frequently. Trade in wild-caught specimens is strongly restricted; in any case, these should be rejected because they are extremely tough to accustomize to aviary conditions. It is usually impossible, even for expert aviculturalists, to keep wild-caught birds alive for more than a few months. Captive-bred birds of several species are available, and these are far more hardy, though inexperienced aviculturalists should avoid them nonetheless.