SHORT TAILED
PARROT FINCH
ERYTHRURA CYANEOVIRENS
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There are six different sub
species under the name "Short tailed parrot finch" of wich the Samoa
is the first.
In recent times increasingly the name "Short tailed" is being replaced
by "Red-headed".
This new name must not be confused with the well-known "red headed parrot
finch".
It was intented to put these birds under a new and more recent classification.
Their red head colour is also a typical characteristic of the former "short
tailed" family.
ROYAL PARROT FINCH
ERYTHRURA CYANEOVIRENS REGIA

© W. Stegner
CLASSIFICATION
The Royal parrot finch belongs to
the group of the Short-tailed parrot finches.
NATIVE HABITAT
They only live on the edges of
forests and grasslands of the New Hybrids. They are very shy and in moments of
danger they fly immediately into the shrubs or in the trees.
Breeding season starts in September with the building of a big nest of grasses
high in the trees.
Clutches of 3-4 eggs are incubated for 14 days. Two nests during a season is
normal.
They eat mainly all kinds of fruits, especially figs. On the picture below you
can see a normal and a cut wild fig.

© E.Cheritat
DESCRIPTION
Lenght: 11 cm.
They have a remarkable red head and upper tail coverts. Their back is cobalt
blue, changing into green as far as to the wings. The sides and breast as far as
to the abdomen are blue.
The female is identical to the male but she's a little duller in the neck and
the breast.
AVICULTURAL NOTES
Royal Parrot finches have already
succesfully bred and raised their babies. The incubation period and the
independence age of the youngsters is identical to the other members of the
short tailed family.
Although it seems that young birds only obtain their full colour at 20 months
old.
As far as known, they are breeding in big aviaries and figs are absolutely
necessary.
MUTATIONS
No mutations are known.
Beside these Short-tailed parrot finches, there are still three others that
exist.
These birds are not known in Europe and their mutual differences are small.
ERYTHRURA CYANEOVIRENS EFATENSIS
Has a green back and a dark red head.
ERYTHRURA CYANEOVIRENS SERENA
Has a green back and abdomen.
Sometimes this species is called the Sead-eating royal parrot finch.
ERYTHRURA CYANEOVIRENS GAUGHRANI
Has a duller blue neck.
Last changed:
05/01/08 19:08
©2000-2008, Daniël
Wildemeersch, SOFAM
"All rights reserved"