Papuan King Parrot (Alisterus chloropterus)

Papuan King Parrot
© Florin Feneru | [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Photos

Did You Know?

The king parrots are easily recognized as a group by their intensely coloured, shiny red, green and blue plumage and long tails.

Academic Research

Related publications: Alisterus chloropterus

Species Profile

Genus: Alisterus | Species: chloropterus

Size:

36cm (14 in)

Weight:

138-190g (4.8-6.6 oz)

Subspecies including nominate:

three: A.c. chloropterus, A.c. callopterus, A.c. moszkowskii

Colour Adult:

A.c. chloropterus: Male-red head and underparts; upper mantle black with blue band, extending to nape; folded wing has yellow/green blaze; rest of wing dark green; blue back, rump and upper tail coverts; black tail. Upper mandible orange/red tipped with black, grey/black lower mandible. Eye orange. Female-dull green head, back and wings; dull green throat and breast margined with red; dark green tail. Upper mandible orange/brown tipped with grey.
A.c. callopterus: Male-as in chloropterus, but blue band on mantle not extended to hindneck and nape. Female-as in chloropterus.
A.c. moszkowskii: Male-as in callopterus. Female-as in male.

Colour Juvenile:

A.c. chloropterus: As in adult female, but red on breast absent; lateral tail feathers tipped with dull pink. Eye brown.
A.c. moszkowskii: As in adult female.

Call:

Calls are described as shrill and metallic, repeated while in flight or alarmed. Also high-pitched, metallic upslurred notes while perched.

Listen Now

Video Links:

Video 1

More Information:

Avibase

Content Sources:

CITES
BirdLife International
Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Birds of the World
Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World, Juniper and Parr, 1998
ML Media Collection Catalogue 65913, Papuan King Parrot Alisterus chloropterus, Connop, Scott, Papua New Guinea, Oct. 8 1993, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Site
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006. 2010 edition
Lexicon of Parrots, Thomas Arndt.
Parrots in Aviculture, Low, 1992.

Papuan King Parrot
© Florin Feneru | [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The king parrots are easily recognized as a group by their intensely coloured, shiny red, green and blue plumage and long tails.

Academic Research

Related publications: Alisterus chloropterus

Species Care

Captive Status:

Rare

Longevity:

15-25 yrs

Housing:

Walk-in aviary, minimum length 4.5m (14.7 ft).

Diet:

Small seed mix such as: canary, oats, safflower and a little hemp; spray millet; limited sunflower seed, dry, soaked or sprouted; sprouted pulses such as mung beans, cooked butterbeans and lentils; boiled maize; green leaves such as: Swiss chard, lettuce, sowthistle, dandelion, chickweed; vegetables such as: fresh corn, carrot, celery, zucchini, squash, green beans and peas in the pods; fruits such as: apple, pear, orange, cactus fruits, pomegranate, banana, kiwi; nuts such as: lightly cracked hazelnuts, pecans and roasted peanuts; complete kibble.

Enrichment:

Not a vigorous chewer; provide ladders, swings, ropes and puzzle/foraging toys. Provide overhead misters or shallow water bowls for bathing.

Nest Box Size:

Nest log 10" (25.4cm) around and 4-5' (1.5-2m) deep.

Clutch Size:

3-4

Incubation Time:

21 days

Fledging Age:

8 weeks

Hatch Weight:

About 8-9g (0.3 oz)

Peak Weight:

Not recorded.

Weaning Weight:

Not recorded.

Papuan King Parrot
© Florin Feneru | [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The king parrots are easily recognized as a group by their intensely coloured, shiny red, green and blue plumage and long tails.

Academic Research

Related publications: Alisterus chloropterus

Species Wild Status

World Population:

Unknown, stable.

IUCN Red List Status:

Least Concern

CITES Listing:

Appendix II

Threat Summary:

Generally scarce and in low numbers, though locally common and probably underrecorded due to quiet behaviour. Over 3300 birds were reported in international trade during the period 1987 to 1992; quotas greatly reduced in mid-1990s.

Range:

A.c. chloropterus: E New Guinea.
A.c. callopterus: C New Guinea.
A.c. moszkowskii: N New Guinea.

Habitat:

Found up to 2600m (8528 ft) in dense forest, open areas with casuarinas, cultivated areas and secondary growth forest.

Wild Diet:

Takes Casuarina fruits, seeds, berries and nuts.

Ecology and Behaviour:

Seen singly, in pairs or groups of up to ten individuals. Are fairly approachable in wild. Quiet and inconspicuous while feeding in lower and middle canopy.

Clutch and Egg Size:

3-4 eggs

Breeding Season:

Begins in March.

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The king parrots are easily recognized as a group by their intensely coloured, shiny red, green and blue plumage and long tails.

Academic Research

Related publications: Alisterus chloropterus

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