African Wildlife & Environment Issue 82

BIRDING

Meyers Parrot, Borakalolo Game Reserve

Distribution and habitat Meyer's Parrots P. meyeri are native to the plateau woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa, where they occur in several woodland types, including miombo, savanna woodlands, wooded grasslands and forests bordering watercourses or agricultural land. They are found in high densities in the Okavango Delta region of Botswana. They can also be found in southern and central Africa (Chad, Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Congo, Angola, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Namibia). They are seldom found far from water. Brown-headed Parrots P. cryptoxanthus are found in lowland woodlands. They are strongly associated with the Knobthorn Senegalia

Rüppell's Parrot has an overall dark brown colour, and its head is dark greyish. Both adult male and female birds have some yellow feathers on the leading edge of the wings, and yellow feathers covering their upper legs. In the immature birds, the yellow is dull or missing. They are sexually dimorphic; adult female birds have blue feathers on the lower back and the rump, while male birds lose this blue coloration as they become mature. All three are characterised by their swift and direct flight pattern, with Meyer’s often flying low above the ground and Rüppell's flying just below the canopy. The best way of detecting the birds in suitable habitats, are when they are feeding or in flight. They are easily identified by their loud piercing screeching calls or high-pitched chatter in the canopy.

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