Colourization Adult: C.p. papou: both adults in general red; dark green mantle and wings; pale blue streaked in front of black patch on rump; thin black band across hindneck; blue patch on rump and upper tail coverts; lower flanks and sides of breast have yellow patches; black thighs and abdominal band with purple shine; red underwing coverts; green tail tipped with yellow. Bill orange/red. Eye yellow/orange. C.p. stellae: (has melanistic phase, where red is replaced with black) male-black patch reaching from occiput to hindneck and streaked in front with purple/blue; black lower flanks, yellow absent; yellow on sides of breast absent; centre tail feathers elongated and widely tipped with yellow/orange. Female-as in male but lower back and sides of rump yellow. C.p. goliathina: (has melanistic phase) both adults as in stellae, but with long central tail feathers widely tipped with yellow. C.p. wahnesi: (has melanistic phase) both adults as in stellae, but with broad yellow band across upper abdomen. Colourization Juvenile: C.p. papou: in general duller than adults; with black margins on feathers of neck and breast; duller blue patch on rump less extensive; yellow underwing band in varying proportions; central tail feathers considerably shorter. Bill brown/orange tipper with black. Eye dark brown. C.p. stellae: in general duller than adults; with black margins on feathers of neck and breast; yellow underwing band in varying proportions; elongated tips to central tail feathers absent. C.p. goliathina: as in adults. C.p. wahnesi: as in adults. Call: Are described as distinctive; in flight are loud and slurred in upward inflection; also quieter, mellower screech. When feeding or at rest emits a nasal, long note increasing in volume.
Not Threatened.
Colourization Adult: C.p. papou: both adults in general red; dark green mantle and wings; pale blue streaked in front of black patch on rump; thin black band across hindneck; blue patch on rump and upper tail coverts; lower flanks and sides of breast have yellow patches; black thighs and abdominal band with purple shine; red underwing coverts; green tail tipped with yellow. Bill orange/red. Eye yellow/orange. C.p. stellae: (has melanistic phase, where red is replaced with black) male-black patch reaching from occiput to hindneck and streaked in front with purple/blue; black lower flanks, yellow absent; yellow on sides of breast absent; centre tail feathers elongated and widely tipped with yellow/orange. Female-as in male but lower back and sides of rump yellow. C.p. goliathina: (has melanistic phase) both adults as in stellae, but with long central tail feathers widely tipped with yellow. C.p. wahnesi: (has melanistic phase) both adults as in stellae, but with broad yellow band across upper abdomen. Colourization Juvenile: C.p. papou: in general duller than adults; with black margins on feathers of neck and breast; duller blue patch on rump less extensive; yellow underwing band in varying proportions; central tail feathers considerably shorter. Bill brown/orange tipper with black. Eye dark brown. C.p. stellae: in general duller than adults; with black margins on feathers of neck and breast; yellow underwing band in varying proportions; elongated tips to central tail feathers absent. C.p. goliathina: as in adults. C.p. wahnesi: as in adults. Call: Are described as distinctive; in flight are loud and slurred in upward inflection; also quieter, mellower screech. When feeding or at rest emits a nasal, long note increasing in volume.
25 cm, 90-115 g
Taxonomy:
- Psittacus Papou Scopoli, 1786, Arfak. Four subspecies recognized. (source: Handbook of the Birds of World)
Subspecies and Distribution:
- * papou (Scopoli, 1786) - Vogelkop (W New Guinea). * goliathina Rothschild & Hartert, 1911 - Weyland Mts (Irian Jaya) E to Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. * wahnesi Rothschild, 1906 - Huon Peninsula. * stellae A. B. Meyer, 1886 - Herzog Mts to Owen Stanley Range.
Found up to 3500m in Nothofagus-Podocarpus forest.
Feeds on nectar, pollen, possibly flowers, flower buds, fruits and small seeds.
Possibly August, with young birds seen in October and November.2 eggs, 24.5 x 22.5mm. Usually seen in pairs or groups. Very active and agile. Moves through trees with jerky movements flicking their long tails.