Neopsittacus pullicauda

General description: 

Colourization Adult: N.p. pullicauda: both adults-crown and nape softly streaked with yellow/green; nape lightly washed olive/brown; cheeks green streaked with green/yellow; red throat to centre of abdomen; red underwing coverts and underwing band; upper tail green, underneath olive/green, with red at lateral feather bases. Bill deep orange. Eye red. N.p. alpinus: both adults-pale orange/red breast in contrast to dark red abdomen; upper parts darker green. N.p. socialis: both adults-upperparts and sides of head darker green; less olive/brown on nape. Colourization Juvenile: As in adults but generally duller in colour, with reduced red on underparts; less visible streaking on head. Bill orange/brown. Call: High in pitch, quiet and musical. Somewhat similar to Musschenbroek's Lorikeet.

Conservation status: 

Not Threatened.

Diagnostic description: 

Colourization Adult: N.p. pullicauda: both adults-crown and nape softly streaked with yellow/green; nape lightly washed olive/brown; cheeks green streaked with green/yellow; red throat to centre of abdomen; red underwing coverts and underwing band; upper tail green, underneath olive/green, with red at lateral feather bases. Bill deep orange. Eye red. N.p. alpinus: both adults-pale orange/red breast in contrast to dark red abdomen; upper parts darker green. N.p. socialis: both adults-upperparts and sides of head darker green; less olive/brown on nape. Colourization Juvenile: As in adults but generally duller in colour, with reduced red on underparts; less visible streaking on head. Bill orange/brown. Call: High in pitch, quiet and musical. Somewhat similar to Musschenbroek's Lorikeet.

Behaviour: 

Size: 

18 cm, 28-40 g

Phylogeny: 

Taxonomy:

    Neopsittacus pullicauda Hartert, 1896, Victoria District, Owen Stanley Range, New Guinea. Three subspecies recognized. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Distribution: 

Subspecies and Distribution:

    * alpinus Ogilvie-Grant, 1914 - WC New Guinea from Snow Mts to area around Mt Capella. * socialis Mayr, 1931 - Huon Peninsula and Herzog Mts, EC Papua New Guinea. * pullicauda Hartert, 1896 - E New Guinea from area around Mt Capella to Owen Stanley Range.
Habitat: 

Found between 1700-3800m; prefers moss forest and nearby partly cleared habitat; common in primary and secondary forests, mainly at margins and tall secondary growth.

Trophic strategy: 

Eats pollen, nectar, flowers, fruits and less often, seeds.

Reproduction: 

October, 2 eggs. Is common and often seen in pairs, small groups or parties of up to 30 individuals. Travel in noisy groups. Feeds in canopy but also midway down and lower levels. Approachable and very active

Scratchpads developed and conceived by (alphabetical): Ed Baker, Katherine Bouton Alice Heaton Dimitris Koureas, Laurence Livermore, Dave Roberts, Simon Rycroft, Ben Scott, Vince Smith