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Canberra Parrot ID

To: birding-aus posts <>
Subject: Canberra Parrot ID
From: David McDonald <>
Date: Sun, 28 Sep 1997 10:17:29 +1000
Last weekend (20/21 Sept) a friend was walking on the Hackett side of
Mt Majura in Canberra.  She observed a parrot, roughly Crimson
Rosella size, with a red head and yellow throat.  These
characteristics were quite distinctive.

A perusal of the field guides suggest that the bird was a Red-capped
Parrot Purpureicephalus spurius.  The Western Rosella Platycercus
icterotis is perhaps also a contender.  The trouble is that both
species are found only in the SW corner of Western Australia.  So:
1.  any other ID suggestions?
2.  is the Red-capped Parrot kept as an aviary bird in Eastern
Australia?  If so, she could have seen an escapee, oops, escaper.

David

PS A quick perusal of Forshaw's Parrots of the World suggests
that:
1.  red and yellow are common colours in parrots
2.  these colours are commonly found in the
head/face/chin/throat/neck regions of parrots
3.  worldwide, only three parrot species have red heads and yellow
throats/neck sides:  the extinct Carolina Parakeet and the two
species from SW WA mentioned above.


Visit ApologyAustralia: http://apology.west.net.au/
____________________________________________
David McDonald
PO Box 1355, Woden ACT 2606, Australia
Tel: +61 2 6231 8904 (h); +61 2 6249 5618 (w)
Fax: +61 2 6249 0740
E-mail:  
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