Alexandras Parakeet
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Alexandras Parakeet ( Polytelis alexandrae ) |
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| Gould , 1863 |
The princess parrot ( Polytelis alexandrae ), also Blaukappe parakeet , blue cap or Princess of Wales parakeet called, is a parrot of the genus polytelis . It colonizes the inner western and central Australia, an area with a radius of about one thousand kilometers around the meeting of the borders of South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory, and inhabits here rather arid habitats. The exact limits of the distribution area have not yet been determined, but it is the largest of all the parakeets and borders in the southwest on that of the related mountain parakeet . Alexandria Parakeets are not considered very common and around five thousand specimens are believed to live in the wild.
The Alexandra Parakeet was first described in 1962 by Frederick G. Waterhouse , a member of the Von John McDouall Stuart expedition and named Alexandra in 1863 by the Zoological Society of London in homage to the Princess of Wales, who was blessed with rare grace and later Queen of England and Empress of India, Alexandra .
Appearance
Alexandras parakeets reach a body length of 40 centimeters and weigh about 90 grams. There is a clear gender dimorphism .
Males have a light blue crown and neck. The forehead, the reins, the cheek region and the ear covers are light olive, which is individually tinted differently blue-gray. The chin, throat and neck are dull pink. The plumage on the chest and belly is matt olive gray. In some individuals, the plumage is tinged with gray-violet. The legs and the rear flanks are matt pink, the front flanks, on the other hand, have a blue hue. The rear neck and the front back are light olive green up to the shoulder feathers and the umbrella feathers. The wing bend and the wing coverts are bright yellow-green and form a striking color contrast to the rest of the body plumage when the wings are put on. The back and the rump are blue-violet up to the upper tail-covers. The inner control springs are olive green and end with a bluish faded tip. The outer control feathers are bluish gray and lined with matt pink on the inner vents. The bill is bright red, with the tip of the lower mandible is yellowish white. The iris is orange-red. One of the most striking features of the male is that the third wrist is elongated and ends in a spatula tip. This characteristic is absent in the females.
The females are generally more dull in color. For example, the wing covers are noticeably less yellowish. The inner control springs are not that much elongated. In the females, the vertex is not tinted blue-gray, but rather gray to gray-mauve. Like the females, young animals have an overall dull plumage. Their irises are still dark brown. The legs are dark gray in adult birds, but light pink in young birds.
The flight is quick and straightforward. They cover short distances by flying just a few centimeters above the ground. Long distances, however, are covered at considerable heights. The voice is rolling and cackling loudly. On the other hand, resting birds emit chirping chatting tones.
habitat
The Alexandras Parakeet is a resident of the shrub savannah, which has only a scattered vegetation with casuarina , acacia or eucalyptus trees . The soil is overgrown with Spinifex grass and is rather sandy. Alexandras parakeets are also found in the gallery forests along watercourses. The Great Sandy Desert in northeast Australia is considered the distribution center .
Alexandras Parakeets have adapted to arid regions in their way of life. It is therefore feared that, due to the increase in artificial water points, other, more competitive species will colonize the habitat of the Alexandras Parakeet and displace this species there. This is considered critical, as the Alexandrian Parakeet population is not very high. So far, however, there is no evidence that these fears are true.
Alexandras Parakeets have been observed all year round for several years on the Canning Stock Route . Since there is also evidence of not yet sexually mature birds, these seem to be resident birds that also breed in this region. In most regions of their distribution area, however, Alexandras Parakeets live very nomadically and use short-term water sources during their migrations. Alexandras Parakeets are observed at irregular intervals in tree-lined watercourses. The parakeets stay there briefly to breed and then disappear when the breeding season is over. The intervals between the individual appearances of Alexandras Parakeets can be several decades. In 1894, for example, Alexandria Parakeets were breeding near Alice Springs , where they had not been observed during the three decades before.
food
Alexandras parakeets prefer to eat flowers. It has been shown that the food is the flowers of Hakea suburea , Grevillea wickhamii and Crotolaria cunninghami, as well as the leaves of Codonocarpus cotinifolius . They also eat the seeds of various types of grass. The seeds of Spinifex are apparently only eaten when there is no other food available.
Reproduction
Alexandras parakeets are cave breeders . The few nests found in the wild so far were mostly in eucalyptus trees along watercourses. The female lays four to six eggs and the incubation period is 20 to 21 days.
Keeping as an ornamental bird
The Alexandras Parakeet is also kept as an ornamental bird . For his well-being he needs either an indoor aviary or an outdoor aviary, where he can also find a protected space. The species is considered tolerable and can be kept together with other parakeets or birds of other orders. As very powerful fliers, however, they need very large aviaries and good protection against damp weather and cold winds. As is characteristic of a species that only occasionally finds conditions in the wild that allow them to breed, they are very willing to reproduce in human care and brood even when the holding conditions are less than optimal.
There are several color mutations in human posture. A blue color mutation occurred as early as 1951 and was successfully bred. There are also lutinos and a red form.
Note
The Alexander parakeet , which has a similar German name and also occurs in Germany as a neozoa , belongs to the genus of noble parakeets .
supporting documents
Individual evidence
- ↑ a b Forshaw, p. 391.
- ↑ Princess Parrot , The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2019-1
- ^ The Journals of John McDouall Stuart (Edited from Mr. Stuart's Manuscript by William Hardman, MA, FRGS, & c.), Second edition, 1865.
- ↑ a b Forshaw, p. 396.
- ↑ a b Forshaw, p. 394.
- ^ Forshaw, p. 395.
- ^ Forshaw, p. 399.
literature
- Joseph M. Forshaw : Australian Parrots. 1st German-language edition. Volume 2, Arndt-Verlag, Bretten 2003, ISBN 3-9808245-2-7 .
Web links
- Polytelis alexandrae in the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN 2008. Posted by: BirdLife International, 2008. Accessed on December 19 of 2008.