African Wildlife & Environment Issue 82

BIRDING

Rüppells Parrot (Photograph: Warwick Tarboton)

The Meyer's, Brown-headed and Rüppell's Parrots are endemic to Africa. Size-wise, these parrots are very similar, being 22-25cm with the Meyers being slightly smaller at 21-25cm. But visually the three species are very different.

Our three smaller SOUTH AFRICAN PARROTS

Article: JohnWesson / Photographs: JohnWesson (unless otherwise indicated)

to the head and wings, and the intensity of the turquoise markings on the belly and rump. The general plumage colour of the Brown headed Parrot is bright green, with bright yellow underwing coverts, although the extent of this is variable.The head is (as the name suggests) brown in colour.

All three parrots belong to the genus Poicephalus . Meyer's Parrot has grey feathers, turquoise belly, blue rump, and bright yellow markings on the carpal joint of the wings. Most subspecies have some yellow on the top of the head as well. Forshaw (1989) recognises six subspecies of P. meyeri which vary in home range, size and in markings, including the extent of yellow markings

44 | African Wildlife & Environment | Issue 82 (2022)