- Loriculus galgulus
Identification
A small green parrot (length: 5 ins, 13cm). The male has the blue crown, a red throat patch, red rump and a yellow-orange patch on the nape. The female has no red throat patch, but does have a minimal blue crown and yellow-orange nape patch. Bill is black. Juveniles are as adult female, but with a gray forehead washed with blue; blue crown and yellow-orange nape absent; rump is green with feathers margined red. Bill is yellow-brown. Sometimes kept as a cage bird, but captive status is uncommon.
Distribution
SE Asia: Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei, Borneo and Sumatra.
Taxonomy
The Blue-crowned Hanging-Parrot, Loriculus galgulus (Linnaeus, 1758) belongs to the Psittacidae family.
Habitat
Primary and secondary rainforest from the lowlands to low hills.
Behaviour
Usually seen in small groups, flying rapidly with very fast wing beats. It calls frequently in flight, with a high-pitched dzi. Its diet includes flowers, buds, fruits, nuts and seeds, which it finds in the tops of tall forest trees. Feeds by hanging upside down from the branches and also hangs to sleep! Its small size and green plumage make it difficult to see. Nesting: lays 3-4 eggs in a tree cavity. Incubation is done by the female, who will be fed by the male; it takes about 21 days and the young fledge after 35 days.
