Princess parrot: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Species of bird}}

{{Taxobox

{{Speciesbox

| color = pink

| binomialimage = ''Polytelis alexandrae'' 03.jpg

| name = Princess Parrot

| image_caption = At [[Warsaw Zoo]]

| status = NT

| status_system = IUCN3.1

| image = Princess Parrot (Buffalo Zoo).jpg

| status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 7 February 2023">{{cite iucn |author=BirdLife International |date=2022 |title=''Polytelis alexandrae'' |volume=2022 |page=e.T22685081A213099157 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2022-1.RLTS.T22685081A213099157.en |access-date=7 February 2023}}</ref>

| regnum = [[Animal]]ia

| genus = ''[[Polytelis]]''

| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]

| classisspecies = [[Aves]]alexandrae

| ordoauthority = [[PsittaciformesJohn Gould|Gould]], 1863

| familia = [[Psittacidae]]

| subfamilia = <small>unplaced: [[Incertae sedis]]</small>

| tribus = [[Polytelini]]

| genus = ''[[Polytelis]]''

| species = '''''P. alexandrae'''''

| binomial = ''Polytelis alexandrae''

| binomial_authority = ([[John Gould|Gould]], 1863)

}}

The colourful '''Princessprincess Parrotparrot''' or ('''Alexandra's'Polytelis Parrotalexandrae''''') is an Australian bird of the [[Australiaparrot]]n family. Its name was given in honour of Princess [[birdAlexandra of Denmark]], ofwho in 1863 married the [[parrotPrince of Wales]] family[[Edward PsittacidaeVII of the United Kingdom|Edward VII]] and eventually became [[Queen consort|Queen of the United Kingdom]]. ItOther isnames afor mediumthe sizedspecies include: '''Queen Alexandra parrot''' (or parakeet), 34'''Alexandra's toparakeet''', 46'''Princess centimetresof longWales (theparakeet''', males'''rose-throated areparakeet''', larger)and '''spinifex parrot'''. TheTheir plumage is mostly green with a pink throat, bluish crown and rump, and bright green shoulders. The tail is long and narrow.

==Description==

This species is [[nomadic]], arriving in small groups to breed and then disappearing. It is one of Australia’s least known parakeets because it is so elusive, even though it is spread across the interior of Australia. It inhabits arid woodland and scrub with [[spinifex]], [[eucalypt]]s, [[acacia]]s, etc. 4 to 6 rounded white eggs are laid in a hollow in a eucalypt or [[desert oak]]. They are becoming quite rare in the wild and their numbers seem to be dwindling. They feed on the seeds of grasses and shrubs. They are unusual among parrots in engaging in [[mobbing]] behaviour against predators.

[[File:Polytelis alexandrae -Bloedel Conservatory, Vancouver, Canada -male-8a.jpg|upright|left|thumb|A male ("Monty") at [[Bloedel Conservatory]], Vancouver, Canada]]

[[File:Close-up Princess Parrot.JPG|alt=A curious male Princess parrot.|thumb|A male Princess parrot.]]

The princess parrot is a medium-sized parrot, 34 to 46&nbsp;cm long and weighing between 110 and 120&nbsp;g. The plumage is mostly green with a pink throat, bluish crown, and bright green shoulders. The rump is blue and the tail is long and narrow. The males have longer tail feathers and brighter coloring than females. The male also has a coral-red beak, while the female's is duller and has a greyish crown. Another difference is that the male has an orange [[Iris (anatomy)|iris]], while the female's is much browner. In addition, the male of the species has a longer, projecting extension from the end of the 3rd primary (flight) feather on each side. This projection is called a 'spatula' or 'spatule' and appears in mature male birds.{{citation needed|date=February 2016}}

==Behaviour==

The name "Princess Parakeet" was given in honour of Princess [[Alexandra of Denmark]], who later married the [[Prince of Wales]] [[Edward VII of the United Kingdom|Edward VII]] and eventually became the [[Queen of England]]. Other names for the species include: Queen Alexandra Parrot (or Parakeet), Princess of Wales Parakeet, Rose-throated Parakeet and Spinifex Parrot.

This species is [[nomadic]], arriving in small groups to breed and then disappearing. It is one of Australia’sAustralia's least known parakeetsparrots because it is so elusive,{{Citation needed|date=August 2008}} even though it is spread across the interior of Australia. It inhabits arid woodland and scrub with [[Triodia (plant genus)|spinifex]], [[eucalypt]]s, [[acacia]]s, etc. 4They toare 6unusual roundedamong white eggs are laidparrots in a hollowengaging in a eucalypt or [[desertMobbing oak(animal behavior)|mobbing]]. Theybehaviour areagainst becoming quite rare in the wild and their numbers seem to be dwindlingpredators. They feed on the seeds of grasses and shrubs. They are unusual among parrots in engaging in [[mobbing]] behaviour against predators.

==Aviculture=Breeding===

Four to six white eggs are laid which are incubated for 19 days. The chicks leave the nest about 35 days after hatching. These parakeets are truly [[opportunistic breeders]], with pairs choosing to nest when food is plentiful.<ref name = "DA 2003">{{cite book |first = David| last = Alderton | author-link=David Alderton | title = The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Caged and Aviary Birds | isbn = 1-84309-164-X| publisher = Hermes House |___location = London, England | year = 2003 |page= 186}}</ref> They nest in a hollow in an eucalypt or [[desert oak]].

Princess Parrots are normally quiet birds and can be kept in an apartment. At times they can get a little noisy if not given enough attention. Their life span is thought to be as long as 30 years. Under the right circumstances they are able to bond to more than one member of the family. They are a favourite among many [[aviculturist]]s and pet owners because of their looks and personality.

[[File:Princess Parrot (blue mutation).jpg|thumb|left|Blue winged mutant Princess Parrot]]

There are three common color [[mutation]]s of this parakeet. These colours are Lutino, Albino, and Blue. The natural, or 'normal' color is green. The standard green birds have olive-colored feathers all over their bodies, and their wings have bright green bands on them. Their faces are multi-colored with pastel-blue washed foreheads and pink cheeks. Their necks and upper-chests are also rose colored making them very stunning. The difference between males and females is that the males have longer tail feathers and brighter coloring than females. The male also has a coral-red beak, while the female's is a kind of wine-color. Another difference is that the male has an orange [[Iris (anatomy)|iris]], while the female's is much browner.

==Aviculture==

Unfortunately like other parakeets they can get scaly face [[mite]]s from time to time. They are also vulnerable to [[intestinal worm]]s and [[coccidiosis]] when living in the wild or a dirt floor aviary.

[[File:Polytelis alexandrae -Flying High Bird Habitat, Australia-8c.jpg|right|thumb|A blue mutant variety in front of a normal wild type at [[Flying High Bird Habitat]], Australia]]

The princess parrot can make loud calls.<ref name = "DA 2003"/> Their life span is thought to be as long as 30 years. Under the right circumstances, they are able to bond to more than one member of the host family. These birds have a short range of mimicking ability, yet some have the ability to "talk".<ref>{{Cite web|title = Princess Of Wales Parakeet Birds|url = http://www.birdchannel.com/bird-species/profiles/princess-of-wales-parakeet-2.aspx|website = www.birdchannel.com|access-date = 2015-10-19}}</ref> They are a favourite among many [[aviculturist]]s and pet owners because of their looks and personality. Their diet consists of reasonable sized seeds and grasses that have seeds. They can be constipated if given bread or seeds that are small or become wet, they can become ill if seed bowls are contaminated by rats or mice so are best fed on an inverted ceramic pot with the bowl on top not wider than the top as they will dislodge the feed bowl.{{Citation needed|date=August 2008}}

There are three common color [[mutation]]s of this parakeet. These colours are Lutino, Blue, and Albino (combination of Blue and Lutino). The natural, or 'normal' color is green. There are two types of blue, one blue winged and the second is bright blue wings and bright blue head.

Overall, as [[pet]]s they are delightful companions and they can become very good talkers. Some have a large vocabulary and even seem to be talking in context.

[[File:Princess Parrot HD pic.JPG|thumb|A male princess parrot perched on a branch.]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

* {{IUCN2006|assessors=BirdLife International|year=2004|id=17960|title=Polytelis alexandrae|downloaded=05 May 2006}} Database entry includes a brief justification of why this species is near threatened

==External links==

[[Category:Parrots]]

[[fr:{{Commons category|Polytelis alexandrae]]}}

[[Category:Psittaculini]]

{{Wikispecies|Polytelis alexandrae}}

[[Category:Birds of Australia]]

*[http://www.parrots.org/index.php/encyclopedia/profile/princess_parrot/ World Parrot Trust] Parrot Encyclopedia - Species Profiles

[[Category:Birds of Western Australia]]

{{Taxonbar|from=Q674080}}

[[de:Alexandrasittich]]

[[fr:Polytelis alexandrae]]

[[Category:Polytelis|princess parrot]]

[[hu:Kéksapkás papagáj]]

[[Category:Birds of the Northern Territory]]

[[ru:Попугай Александрины]]

[[Category:Birds of South Australia]]

[[Category:Birds of Western Australia]]

[[Category:Birds described in 1863|princess parrot]]