Cape Parrot
The Cape Parrot (Poicephalus robustus) or Levaillant's Parrot is a large, temperate forest dwelling Poicephalus parrot endemic to South Africa. It has 2 subspecies which may be considered distinct species, the savanna dwelling Brown-necked Parrot (ssp. fuscicollis) and Grey-headed Parrot.
Taxonomy
The Cape Parrot is a short-tailed moderately large bird with a very large beak used to crack all sorts of hard nuts and fruit kernels, especially those of African yellowwood trees Podocarpus spp.. This contrasts with closely the related savanna species (Poicephalus fuscicollis) which feeds on and a wide variety of tropical woodland trees such as Marula, Commiphora spp. and Terminalia spp. These species are sexually dimorphic, with females typically sporting an orange frontal patch on the forehead. Juveniles also show a larger orange - pink patch on the forehead but lack the red on shoulders and legs of adults.These plumage characteristics vary among individuals and among the three recognized forms.
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| Poicephalus robustus |
image source: http://flickr.com/photos/31944634@N02
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| Poicephalus robustus |
image surce: http://www.flickr.com/photos/barnardpaul/
