Parakeets
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| Wagler , 1832 |
The parakeets ( Polytelis ) are a genus of real parrots . They occur exclusively in Australia . A total of three species are assigned to the genus .
Appearance
Parakeets are medium-sized parrots with a long, stepped tail. The control springs are, without exception, narrow and taper at the end. The inner pair of control springs is significantly longer. This feature is particularly noticeable in the Alexandras Parakeet. The wings are long and pointed. In all three types the outermost hand wings are very narrow. Adult males of the Alexandras Parakeets have an extended spatula tip on the third wing of the hand. This characteristic is absent in the females and the not yet sexually mature males.
The sexual dimorphism is more pronounced in the mountain parakeet and the shield parakeet . The females of the parakeet lack the yellow facial markings. In the mountain parakeet, the yellow underside of the head and body of the male has been replaced by a dull yellow olive in the female. In the Alexandras Parakeet, the sexual dimorphism is not quite as pronounced. The plumage is just a little more dull overall in the female. The bluish apex in the male is rather gray to mauve-gray in the female.
Distribution area and habitat
The parakeet has the smallest distribution area of the species belonging to the parakeets. It only occurs in the interior of southeastern Australia. Its distribution area extends from central New South Wales to the extreme north of the Australian state of Victoria . Its occurrence is linked to forests near rivers and tree savannas with eucalyptus trees in alluvial land. The mountain parakeet occurs in two disjoint distribution areas in the south-west of Australia and in the interior of south-east Australia. The two populations have been separated from each other since the beginning of the last dry ice age around 25,000 years ago. A region that is unsuitable for colonization extends between the two distribution areas. The Alexandras Parakeet, which inhabits the interior of Central and Western Australia, has the largest distribution area. The exact distribution limits have not yet been determined. The Alexandras Parakeet, also known as the Princess of Wales Parakeet, inhabits very arid habitats and lives in shrub savannas with very little tree cover. It seems to be a resident bird along the Canning Stock Route , but in most of its range it is a very nomadic bird that suddenly reappears in regions where it has not been seen for several decades.
Reproduction
All three species are cave-breeders and prefer to breed in trees that are close to watering holes. The breeding season is relatively short and lasts 20 to 22 days. The female breeds alone.
species
- Alexandras Parakeet (Polytelis alexandrae)
- Mountain Parakeet (Polytelis anthopeplus)
- Black-tailed Parakeet (Polytelis swainsonii)
supporting documents
Individual evidence
literature
- Joseph M. Forshaw : Australian Parrots. 1st German-language edition. Volume 2, Arndt-Verlag, Bretten 2003, ISBN 3-9808245-2-7 .
