Mountain Parakeet

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Mountain Parakeet
Mountain Parakeet (Polytelis anthopeplus)

Mountain Parakeet ( Polytelis anthopeplus )

Systematics
Class : Birds (aves)
Order : Parrots (Psittaciformes)
Family : True parrots (Psittacidae)
Subfamily : Eclectic parrots (Psittaculinae)
Genre : Parakeets ( Polytelis )
Type : Mountain Parakeet
Scientific name
Polytelis anthopeplus
( Lear , 1831)

The mountain parakeet ( Polytelis anthopeplus ) is a species of parrot that belongs to the family of real parrots . Like the Alexandras Parakeet, it belongs to the fauna of Australia and is widespread in southeastern and southwestern Australia . This disjoint range has existed in Australia since the beginning of the last dry ice age. Since then, the two populations have been separated from one another by a habitat that has given them no chance to survive.

Mountain Parakeets are medium-sized parrots that are characterized by a long, stepped tail. All control springs are narrow and finely pointed at their ends. The inner control spring pair clearly towers above the neighboring pair. The wings are long and pointed. The beak is small and slender in proportion to its size. Mountain parakeets show a clearly pronounced sexual dimorphism .

Appearance

The mountain parakeet reaches a body length of up to 40 centimeters. Mountain parakeets weigh between 153 and 206 grams. The basic color of the plumage is green. Females are slightly paler in color than males and do not have a red wing band. The beak is conspicuously red. The voice is hoarse, trilling and chirping.

The flight is quick and straightforward and is reminiscent of that of the parakeet . Their flight silhouette is streamlined and unmistakable because of the long tail pointing backwards and the pointed wings that are also pointing backwards. Mountain parakeets cover longer distances at considerable heights. However, they are also skilled fliers who skillfully maneuver through the canopy regions of trees.

Habitat and behavior

The two separate populations inhabit different habitats. In the southeast of Australia, the mountain parakeet can be found predominantly in extensive mallee vegetation. They use the eucalyptus forests along rivers as breeding trees. In the south-west of Australia, on the other hand, mountain parakeets inhabit a large number of forested habitats. These include open forests, gallery forests along watercourses, groups of trees on the edge of pastureland and agricultural areas, mallee and acacia bush forest. They have also developed into urban habitats and are found in parks, gardens and golf courses.

There appears to be a nomadic behavior in part of the population. Observations suggest that after the breeding season they seek out more nutrient-rich regions. In the north-west of the Australian state of Victoria, on the other hand, mountain parakeets are predominantly resident birds. The ornithologist Joseph M. Forshaw , who specializes in Australian parrots, therefore suspects that the migrating birds are not yet reproductive young birds. According to his observations, established breeding pairs remain in the vicinity of their breeding cave all year round.

Mountain parakeets are social birds that can usually be seen in pairs or in small flocks. outside of the breeding season there are occasionally larger swarms. They are diurnal birds that first take care of their plumage in the early morning hours, then go to watering holes and then fly on to their feeding grounds. They look for food on the ground as well as on trees and bushes. It consists of seeds, nuts, fruits, berries, flowers, leaf buds, green plants as well as insects and their larvae.

Mountain parakeets are cave breeders . They prefer old, large eucalyptus trees that are close to water as a breeding tree. The female lays between four and six eggs and the incubation period is 20 to 21 days.

Keeping as an ornamental bird

The mountain parakeet is one of the species of parakeet that is often kept as an ornamental bird. For their well-being they need an aviary where they can be kept together with other parakeets and birds from other bird groups. However, keeping them together with finches can have a negative effect on their reproduction, as mountain parakeets like to dismantle the nests of finches. The persistent flyers need spacious aviaries. In aviaries that are too narrow, they are prone to obesity.

supporting documents

Individual evidence

  1. ^ Forshaw, p. 379
  2. ^ Forshaw, p. 379
  3. ^ Forshaw, p. 380 and p. 381
  4. ^ Forshaw, p. 385
  5. ^ Forshaw, p. 389

literature

Web links

Commons : Polytelis anthopeplus  - collection of images, videos and audio files