Regent Parrot
Encyclopedia
The Regent Parrot is a bird of the parrot
family (Psittacidae). It has predominantly yellow plumage with a green tail. The bird is found primarily in eucalyptus
groves and other wooded areas of subtropical southwestern Australia
, as well as to a smaller area of subtropical and temperate southeastern Australia. Seeds make up the bulk of its diet.
in 1831. It is one of three species in the genus Polytelis
. The parrot is also known variously as the Rock Pebbler, Rock Peplar, Black-tailed Parakeet, Murray Smoker, Marlock Parakeet and sometimes Regent Parakeet.
Two subspecies are recognised. While the western subspecies (Polytelis anthopeplus anthopeplus) is listed as "lower risk" or "least concern"http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:vYsgZV0ygm8J:www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/action/birds2000/pubs/regent-parrot-w.pdf+%2B%22Regent+Parrot%22+%2Bwestern&hl=en&client=firefox-a, the eastern subspecies (Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides) is listed as endangered.http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/Regent+parrot+endangered+species+listing
. The male bird is generally yellow, with several shades on the head; its back is generally a collection of colorful shades of green; its beak generally red. The female is generally more green, overall, especially in the head and body. The tail is green, although the underparts are black.
or fruit tree branch to "spruce up" their quarters seems to please the birds. The Regent Parrot is naturally hardy, so being careful to protect them from drafts and the like is unnecessary. That said, however, they should be protected from excessive cold, as such is uncommon in their natural habitat.
3-8 eggs for approximately 21 days. During this period she seldom departs from the nest, if at all, and is fed by the male. When the young have hatched, they are cared for by both the male and female. During this period, they can be fed several times their normal portion of feed, which they readily convey to their young. The young begin to fly at about 5 weeks. Sexual maturity
is reached at about 2 years of age.
Parrot
Parrots, also known as psittacines , are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three families: the Psittacidae , the Cacatuidae and the Strigopidae...
family (Psittacidae). It has predominantly yellow plumage with a green tail. The bird is found primarily in eucalyptus
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees in the myrtle family, Myrtaceae. Members of the genus dominate the tree flora of Australia...
groves and other wooded areas of subtropical southwestern 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...
, as well as to a smaller area of subtropical and temperate southeastern Australia. Seeds make up the bulk of its diet.
Taxonomy
The Regent Parrot was first described by English author and wit Edward LearEdward Lear
Edward Lear was an English artist, illustrator, author, and poet, renowned today primarily for his literary nonsense, in poetry and prose, and especially his limericks, a form that he popularised.-Biography:...
in 1831. It is one of three species in the genus Polytelis
Polytelis
The genus Polytelis of the family Psittacidae consists of three species long-tailed parrot endemic to Australia...
. The parrot is also known variously as the Rock Pebbler, Rock Peplar, Black-tailed Parakeet, Murray Smoker, Marlock Parakeet and sometimes Regent Parakeet.
Two subspecies are recognised. While the western subspecies (Polytelis anthopeplus anthopeplus) is listed as "lower risk" or "least concern"http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:vYsgZV0ygm8J:www.deh.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/action/birds2000/pubs/regent-parrot-w.pdf+%2B%22Regent+Parrot%22+%2Bwestern&hl=en&client=firefox-a, the eastern subspecies (Polytelis anthopeplus monarchoides) is listed as endangered.http://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/npws.nsf/Content/Regent+parrot+endangered+species+listing
Description
The Regent Parrot grows to approximately 14½-16½" (37-42 cm) in length, and exhibits sexual dimorphismSexual dimorphism
Sexual dimorphism is a phenotypic difference between males and females of the same species. Examples of such differences include differences in morphology, ornamentation, and behavior.-Examples:-Ornamentation / coloration:...
. The male bird is generally yellow, with several shades on the head; its back is generally a collection of colorful shades of green; its beak generally red. The female is generally more green, overall, especially in the head and body. The tail is green, although the underparts are black.
Diet
Captive Regent Parrots thrive on chopped mixtures for large parrots. They also like eggfood, fruit, sprouting seeds and a small assortment of insects. Unlike most birds parrots do not require grit in their diet, grit should only be given when a certified avian veterinarian prescribes it for digestion aid if the bird is ill. An occasional fresh willowWillow
Willows, sallows, and osiers form the genus Salix, around 400 species of deciduous trees and shrubs, found primarily on moist soils in cold and temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere...
or fruit tree branch to "spruce up" their quarters seems to please the birds. The Regent Parrot is naturally hardy, so being careful to protect them from drafts and the like is unnecessary. That said, however, they should be protected from excessive cold, as such is uncommon in their natural habitat.
Reproduction
The female broodsAvian incubation
Incubation refers to the process by which certain oviparous animals hatch their eggs, and to the development of the embryo within the egg. The most vital factor of incubation is the constant temperature required for its development over a specific period. Especially in domestic fowl, the act of...
3-8 eggs for approximately 21 days. During this period she seldom departs from the nest, if at all, and is fed by the male. When the young have hatched, they are cared for by both the male and female. During this period, they can be fed several times their normal portion of feed, which they readily convey to their young. The young begin to fly at about 5 weeks. Sexual maturity
Sexual maturity
Sexual maturity is the age or stage when an organism can reproduce. It is sometimes considered synonymous with adulthood, though the two are distinct...
is reached at about 2 years of age.
See also
- List of parrots (listed by taxonomic position)
- List of parrots (listed by name)
- List of Western Australian birds