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Species Profile

Genus:
Charmosyna

Species:
papou

Size:	Adult Weight:
25cm (9.75 in)	90-115g (3.1-4 oz)

Races including nominate:
four: C.p.papou, C.p. stellae, C.p. goliathina, C.p. wahnesi

Colourization Adult: C.p. papou: both adults in general red; dark green mantle and wings; pale blue streaked in front of black patch on rump; thin black band across hindneck; blue patch on rump and upper tail coverts; lower flanks and sides of breast have yellow patches; black thighs and abdominal band with purple shine; red underwing coverts; green tail tipped with yellow. Bill orange/red. Eye yellow/orange. C.p. stellae: (has melanistic phase, where red is replaced with black) male-black patch reaching from occiput to hindneck and streaked in front with purple/blue; black lower flanks, yellow absent; yellow on sides of breast absent; centre tail feathers elongated and widely tipped with yellow/orange. Female-as in male but lower back and sides of rump yellow. C.p. goliathina: (has melanistic phase) both adults as in stellae, but with long central tail feathers widely tipped with yellow. C.p. wahnesi: (has melanistic phase) both adults as in stellae, but with broad yellow band across upper abdomen.

Colourization Juvenile: C.p. papou: in general duller than adults; with black margins on feathers of neck and breast; duller blue patch on rump less extensive; yellow underwing band in varying proportions; central tail feathers considerably shorter. Bill brown/orange tipper with black. Eye dark brown. C.p. stellae: in general duller than adults; with black margins on feathers of neck and breast; yellow underwing band in varying proportions; elongated tips to central tail feathers absent. C.p. goliathina: as in adults. C.p. wahnesi: as in adults.

Call: Are described as distinctive; in flight are loud and slurred in upward inflection; also quieter, mellower screech. When feeding or at rest emits a nasal, long note increasing in volume.

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