Superb Parrot
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| Superb Parrot |
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The Superb Parrot (Polytelis swainsonii), also known as Barraband's Parrot, Barraband's Parakeet, or Green Leek Parrot, is a parrot native to south-eastern Australia. It is a monomorphic species and one of three species in the genus Polytelis.
The Superb Parrot is mostly bright green with darker flight feathers and is about 40 cm (16 in) long with a long pointed tail. Adult males have continuous yellow foreheads and throats, with a red horizontal band across the border of the throat.
The Superb Parrot is mostly bright green with darker flight feathers and is about 40 cm (16 in) long with a long pointed tail. Adult males have continuous yellow foreheads and throats, with a red horizontal band across the border of the throat.
Taxonomy
First described by French naturalist Desmarest in 1826, the Superb Parrot, a monomorphic species, is one of three species in the genus Polytelis of long-tailed parrots. Common names include Superb Parrot and, in avicultural circles, Barraband's Parrot or Parakeet, or Green Leek (although the last is applied to several unrelated species). Its closest relative is the Regent Parrot.
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| Superb Parrot |
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Description
The Superb Parrot is a medium-sized bright green approximately 40 cm (16 in) long, with long tail feathers, yellow-green below and yellow-orange irises. The adult male has a scarlet band upper chest, bright yellow face and throat. The adult female has a pale blue-green face, greyish-green throat, a variable tinged russet-pink fore-throat, and orange thighs. Juveniles have brown irises and otherwise resemble females. The male has adult coloured plumage at the age of about one year.
Distribution and habitat
An Australian endemic, the Superb Parrot is restricted to the dry (sclerophyll) woodlands of New South Wales and Victoria. There is estimated to be at least individuals in the wild.
