The Cape Parrot Species

The Cape Parrot Species

All the parrots in this genus are indigenous to Africa South of the Equator.

There are three distinct family groups of the Cape Parrot genus. These are the highly endangered Poicephalus robustus, the rarer Poicephalus fuscicollis fuscicollis and the more common Poicephalus fuscicollis suahellicus. All genus are on the CITES endangered species list.

Poicephalus robustus (The Cape Parrot)

This genus of the species has recently been reclassified into it's own group. The general colouring of the birds is very similar to the other species, but differing in that the head has yellowish-brown to reddish-brown colouring. As well as some having a pinkish tinge to their cheeks, some of the females are known to have a narrower band of red/orange feathering above the cere. The horn-coloured beak is generally smaller than the other species .The wing covert feathers are black and green in colour. The thighs (or socks) and carpel edges of the wings ore an orangey red colour, matching the head colouring of the female. The rump and breast are green with a noticeable bluish tinge to the feathering. This is more noticeable in direct sunlight. The tail feathers are predominantly black, with some dark brown colouring as well. The male of the species is dimorphic in that he does not have the red on the top of the head. Young male birds generally resemble the mother until the first moult. After the moult, the young males take on the grey to brown head colouring of their fathers. The general size of the birds does vary between male and female, but is generally in the range of 30 - 33 cms (12 - 13" from head to tail.

These birds are currently only known to be found in South Africa. The inhabit a narrow area extending from the Eastern Cape and Northward to Kwazulu Natal. Areas covered include the Amatola mountain range, Hogs back area and Mpumalanga. The birds frequent the yellowwood forests, where they get most of their staple diet. They also use the trees for nesting and roosting.

An annual Big Parrot Day is run each year and is organised by the Cape Parrot Working Group in Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu Natal. This was held on 23 June 2004 and only 358 birds were counted this year. This shows a serious decline in the birds. The decline is caused in part by disease and in part by illegal capture.

Poicephalus fuscicollis fuscicollis (The Grey-Headed Parrot)

This species is also known as the Reich now's Parrot. The horn-coloured beak of this species noticeably larger than the p.robustus described above.

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Poicephalus fuscicollis suahellicus

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