- Loriculus vernalis
Identification
A tiny, green parrot.
- Red bill
- Large red rump patch
- Short tail
- Male with a blue throat and breast
In flight
- Rapid flight, resembling a small Barbet
Distribution
South-east Asia. South-west, South and East India, East Nepal, Myanmar, South-west China, Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Andamans and Nicobars (doubtful).
Taxonomy
Some authorities consider Vernal Hanging Parrot a monotypic species, others recognize both vernalis and phileticus[2]; birds of southern India formerly regarded as subspecies rubropygialis, but differences seems to be individual variations.
Forms a superspecies with Sri Lanka Hanging Parrot Loriculus beryllinus.
Subspecies
Two subspecies are recognized[1].
- L. v. vernalis: southwestern and northeastern India and eastern Nepal east to extreme southwestern China (southwestern Yunnan) and Indochina; Andaman Islands
- L. v. phileticus: southern Myanmar and northern peninsular Thailand
Habitat
Evergreen forest, forest edge, plantations and orchards. Locally common in India and Thailand, rare in China.
Behaviour
Very active and acrobatic birds, usually gregarious, but sometimes hard to spot in the canopy where they like to feed.
Breeding
Breeding from January to April. Nest in a natural tree hole. Lays 2-4 eggs.
Diet
Feeds on soft pulp of fruits and berries. Likes figs, but also flower nectar, mistletoe and seeds. May damage local crops of loquats and guavas.
Resident but local food-related movement occurs.
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, T. A. Fredericks, J. A. Gerbracht, D. Lepage, S. M. Billerman, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2022. The eBird/Clements checklist of Birds of the World: v2022. Downloaded from https://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Gill, F, D Donsker, and P Rasmussen (Eds). 2023. IOC World Bird List (v 13.1)_red. Doi 10.14344/IOC.ML.13.1. http://www.worldbirdnames.org/
- Avibase
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Vernal Hanging Parrot. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 November 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Vernal_Hanging_Parrot
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.1