RE: Superb parrots ?- or ? Belconnen Golf Course - reply to all

["casburnj" <>]

Hi Phillip and all others who have responded to my enquiry

 

Many thanks.  On further reflection and reading and in the context of my general observations, I now believe the 6 birds were Superb Parrots. 

 

Reasons being, the larger size of the parrots seen and the predominant green yellow and Photographs forwarded.  I am very familiar with Red Rumped Parrots (far too small) and also with more common parrots such as Eastern Rosellas (still too small).  Swift parrots, from my reading were probably also too small.

 

I have never before seen these birds (Superb Parrots) – and at the time of course I was delighted.

 

I will be able to confirm if the opportunity arises again.

 

Cheers

Jean

 

 

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From: Philip Veerman [.au]
Sent: Saturday, 5 June 2010 1:26 PM
To: 'casburnj'
Cc: 'canberra birds'
Subject: Superb parrots ?- or ? Belconnen Golf Course

 

It is hard to answer the first question as it could be either of these or something else. And no way to know if our answer is correct. The written description fits Red-rumped Parrots and Eastern Rosellas best of all, both of which are of course much more likely. The description of the call does not seem like Superb Parrots. Spread out tail feather is not diagnostic to any species of parrots.

 

It is odd that I don't think anyone has mentioned there is a very big size difference between Superb Parrots & Swift Parrots. Which is enough to pick the difference between these two. Especially when considering overall length in head to tail or in wing span. The former is a big parrot, the latter a very small one.

 

Philip

 

 

On Fri, Jun 4, 2010 at 4:41 PM, casburnj <> wrote:

I have been trying to decide whether I saw 6 Superb Parrots or 6 Swift Parrots in my brief viewing today.  Could not tarry on the golf course.

Description without binocs:

Birds flying up to the top of a tall gum

Allover greenish yellow appearance with some brief flashes of red

Voice high pitched swit swit or chip chip then still noisy in the tree with other sounds

Before landing the tail feathers were splayed out (looked like spaces in between) and spikey looking with what looked like two longer feathers below the fanned out ones.

Any ideas – especially the fanned out tail feathers.

 

Cheers

JEan