Neophema

Last updated

Neophema
Turquoise Parrot-01.jpg
Turquoise parrot, female
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittaculidae
Tribe: Pezoporini
Genus: Neophema
Salvadori, 1891
Type species
Psittacus pulchellus [1]
Shaw, 1792
Species

6 or 7; see text

Synonyms
  • Euphema

The genus Neophema is an Australian genus with six or seven species. They are small, dull green parrots differentiated by patches of other colours, and are commonly known as grass parrots. The genus has some sexual dichromatism, with males having brighter hues.

Contents

Taxonomy

Sometimes the broad-tailed parrots are considered a subfamily. In this case, Neophema and Bourke's parrot are united in the tribe Neophemini. mtDNA sequence data (Miyaki et al. 1998) suggests that the former may be correct, but the latter almost certainly is not. Rather, it appears, the group would need to include more closely related forms, such as the budgerigar and the Pezoporus ground-parrots. However, while Joseph et al. (2011) also found Neophema to be related both Bourke's parrot and ground-parrots and form part of the tribe Pezoporini, they are not related to the budgerigar.

Analysis of mitochondrial DNA published in 2021 indicated the ancestors of Bourke's parrot and the remaining Neophema parrots most likely diverged between 6.4 and 8 million years ago; the Neophema lineage diverged again, with one giving rise to the turquoise and scarlet-chested parrots, and the other to the four remaining species. Of these four, the ancestor of the orange-bellied parrot diverged next, then the elegant parrot, leaving the blue-winged and rock parrot as each other's closest relatives. [2]

Species

There are 6 or 7 species:

Depending on the author, Neopsephotus bourkii (Bourke's parrot) may also be considered a member of this genus.

Aviculture

The scarlet-chested parrot, turquoise parrot and elegant parrot are all commonly raised and bred in captivity with a number of unusual colour forms arising. The members of this genus are not altogether easy to keep, being tender birds that may die without apparent cause, succumbing to mobbing by more robust aviary mates or diseases. This has hampered captive propagation efforts, e.g. in the case of the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot.

They are certainly not "beginner's birds" and will usually not thrive if they are not provided with a spacious aviary where a small flock can be kept in company of a few other small and harmless birds. It is possible to keep a pair or a single bird in a cage, but they will be sluggish and unhealthy if they are not let out to fly and socialize with humans frequently. Trade in wild-caught specimens is strongly restricted; in any case, these should be rejected because they are extremely tough to accustomize to aviary conditions. It is usually impossible, even for expert aviculturalists, to keep wild-caught birds alive for more than a few months. Captive-bred birds of several species are available, and these are far more hardy, though inexperienced aviculturalists should avoid them nonetheless.

Popular in Australia and internationally, Neophema are sometimes referred to as 'grass parakeets' in avicultural literature. The most easily bred are Bourke's parrot (as Neophema), the scarlet-chested parrot (N. splendida), the turquoise parrot (N. pulchella), and the elegant parrot (N. elegans). The most difficult and uncommon captive is the rock parrot (N. petrophila). Aside from Bourke's parrot, all are distinguished as predominantly green birds. The orange-bellied parrot has not been commercially available due to rarity and legal restriction. [3]

Etymology

The genus name comes from νέος (new) and Euphema (the original, now synonimised name for this genus

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Parakeet</span> Small to medium-sized species of parrot

A parakeet is any one of many small- to medium-sized species of parrot, in multiple genera, that generally has long tail feathers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Budgerigar</span> Small, long-tailed, seed-eating parakeet

The budgerigar, also known as the common parakeet, shell parakeet or budgie, is a small, long-tailed, seed-eating parrot. Naturally, the species is green and yellow with black, scalloped markings on the nape, back, and wings. Budgies are bred in captivity with colouring of blues, whites, yellows, greys, and even with small crests. Juveniles and chicks are monomorphic, while adults are told apart by their cere colouring, and their behaviour.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Healesville Sanctuary</span> Zoo in Healesville, Victoria, Australia

Healesville Sanctuary, formally known as the Sir Colin MacKenzie Sanctuary, is a zoo specialising in native Australian animals. It is located at Healesville in rural Victoria, Australia, and has a history of breeding native animals. It is one of only two places to have successfully bred a platypus, the other being Sydney's Taronga Zoo. It also assists with a breeding population of the endangered helmeted honeyeater.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Platycercinae</span> Subfamily of birds

Platycercinae is a subfamily of birds belonging to the family Psittaculidae that inhabit Oceania. It consists of two tribes, the ground parrots and allies (Pezoporini) and the many species of broad-tailed parrot (Platycercini).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Orange-bellied parrot</span> Species of bird

The orange-bellied parrot is a small parrot endemic to southern Australia, and one of only three species of parrot that migrate. It was described by John Latham in 1790. A small parrot around 20 cm (8 in) long, it exhibits sexual dimorphism. The adult male is distinguished by its bright grass-green upper parts, yellow underparts and orange belly patch. The adult female and juvenile are duller green in colour. All birds have a prominent two-toned blue frontal band and blue outer wing feathers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bourke's parrot</span> Species of bird

Bourke's parrot, also known as the blue-vented parrot, sundown parrot, pink-bellied parrot, Bourke's parakeet, Bourke or "Bourkie", is a small parrot found in Australia and the only species in its genus, Neopsephotus. It is approximately 19 cm long and weighs around 45 grams. It is named after General Sir Richard Bourke, Governor of New South Wales from 1831 to 1837.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Adelaide Zoo</span> Zoo in Australia

Adelaide Zoo is Australia's second oldest zoo, and it is operated on a non-profit basis. It is located in the parklands just north of the city centre of Adelaide, South Australia. It is administered by the Royal Zoological Society of South Australia Incorporated, which is a full institutional member of the Zoo and Aquarium Association and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and which also administers the Monarto Safari Park near Murray Bridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rosella</span> Genus of birds

Rosellas are in a genus that consists of six species and nineteen subspecies. These colourful parrots from Australia are in the genus Platycercus. Platycercus means "broad-tailed" or "flat-tailed", reflecting a feature common to the rosellas and other members of the broad-tailed parrot tribe. Their diet is mainly seeds and fruit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scarlet-chested parrot</span> Species of bird

The scarlet-chested parrot, known alternately as scarlet-breasted parrot, orange-throated parrot or splendid parrot, is a parrot endemic to central South Australia and inland southern Western Australia. The species is sexually dimorphic; the male has a bright blue face and scarlet chest and yellow underparts, amid overall green plumage, while the female is similar but lacks the red chest. These nomadic parakeets move readily from the Great Victoria Desert region into neighbouring areas. These interruptions are triggered by a search for more favourable conditions. They can survive quite well without access to drinking water, however, as succulent plants help meet much of their fluid requirement. They feed mainly on grass seeds and are most commonly sighted in spinifex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pezoporini</span> Tribe of birds

The tribe Pezoporini is the sister clade of the tribe Platycercini that contains the broad-tailed parrots.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Meyer's parrot</span> Species of bird

Meyer's parrot, also known as the brown parrot, is a species of parrot native to Africa. A Meyer's parrot has grey feathers, turquoise belly, blue rump, and bright yellow markings on the carpal joint of the wings. Most subspecies have some yellow on the top of the head as well. Forshaw (1989) recognizes six subspecies of P. meyeri which vary in home range, size and in markings, including the extent of yellow markings to the head and wings, and the intensity of turquoise markings on the belly and rump.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Budgerigar colour genetics</span>

The science of budgerigar color genetics deals with the heredity of mutations which cause color variation in the feathers of the species known scientifically as Melopsittacus undulatus. Birds of this species are commonly known by the terms 'budgerigar', or informally just 'budgie'.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nanday parakeet</span> Species of bird

The nanday parakeet, also known as the black-hooded parakeet or nanday conure, is a medium-small, mostly green, Neotropical parrot native to continental South America.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Turquoise parrot</span> Species of bird

The turquoise parrot is a species of parrot in the genus Neophema native to Eastern Australia, from southeastern Queensland, through New South Wales and into North-Eastern Victoria. It was described by George Shaw in 1792. A small lightly built parrot at around 20 cm (7.9 in) long and 40 g in weight, it exhibits sexual dimorphism. The male is predominantly green with more yellowish underparts and a bright turquoise blue face. Its wings are predominantly blue with red shoulders. The female is generally duller and paler, with a pale green breast and yellow belly, and lacks the red wing patch.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock parrot</span> Species of bird

The rock parrot is a species of grass parrot native to Australia. Described by John Gould in 1841, it is a small parrot 22–24 cm long and weighing 50–60 g with predominantly olive-brown upperparts and more yellowish underparts. Its head is olive with light blue forecheeks and lores, and a dark blue frontal band line across the crown with lighter blue above and below. The sexes are similar in appearance, although the female tends to have a duller frontal band and less blue on the face. The female's call also tends to be far louder and more shrill than the male's. Two subspecies are currently recognised.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Red-bellied parrot</span> Species of bird

The red-bellied parrot is a small African parrot about 23 cm (9 in) long of the genus Poicephalus. The genus Poicephalus has the greatest quantity of species and is widely spread in Africa. It is a mostly greenish and grey parrot. Males have a bright orange belly and females have a greenish belly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vulturine parrot</span> Species of bird

The vulturine parrot is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is endemic to Brazil.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blue-winged parrot</span> Species of bird

The blue-winged parrot, also known as the blue-banded parakeet or blue-banded grass-parakeet, is a small parrot found in Tasmania and southeast mainland Australia. It is partly migratory, with populations of blue-winged parrots travelling to Tasmania for the summer. The parrot is sexually dimorphic – the males have more blue on the wings and a two-toned blue frontal band on the head, while females are duller and have more green on the wings and a wingbar. Both sexes have predominantly olive-green plumage. Predominantly a feeder on the ground, the blue-winged parrot mainly eats seeds of grasses. It adapts readily to captivity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elegant parrot</span> Species of bird

The elegant parrot is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is endemic to Australia.

References

Cited sources

  1. "Psittaculidae". The Trust for Avian Systematics. Retrieved 2023-07-24.
  2. Hogg, Carolyn J.; Morrison, Caitlin; Dudley, Jessica S.; Alquezar-Planas, David E.; Beasley-Hall, Perry G.; Magrath, Michael J. L.; Ho, Simon Y. W.; Lo, Nathan; Johnson, Rebecca N.; Grueber, Catherine E. (2021). "Using phylogenetics to explore interspecies genetic rescue options for a critically endangered parrot". Conservation Science and Practice. 3 (9). Bibcode:2021ConSP...3E.483H. doi: 10.1111/csp2.483 . S2CID   237886232.
  3. Shephard, Mark (1989). Aviculture in Australia: Keeping and Breeding Aviary Birds. Prahran, Victoria: Black Cockatoo Press. p. 66. ISBN   978-0-9588106-0-9.

Bibliography