The Moluccan king parrot (Alisterus amboinensis) is a parrotendemic to Peleng Island, Maluku, and West Papua in Indonesia. It is sometimes referred to as the Ambon king parrot or Amboina king parrot,[2] but this is potentially misleading, as it is found on numerous other islands than Ambon. The male and female are similar in appearance, with a predominantly red head and underparts, green wings (blue in one subspecies), and blue back and tail. Six subspecies are recognised, but only a few of these are regular in aviculture. In the wild, it inhabits rainforests and feeds on fruits, berries, seeds and buds.
Image of a colour lithograph of a Moluccan king parrot produced by William John Swainson in the first volume of Zoological Illustrations
In 1760 the French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson included a description of the Moluccan king parrot in his Ornithologie based on a specimen collected on the island of Ambon in Indonesia. He used the French name La perruche rouge d'Amboine and the Latin name Psittaca amboinensis coccinea.[3] Although Brisson coined Latin names, these do not conform to the binomial system and are not recognised by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature.[4] When in 1766 the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus updated his Systema Naturae for the twelfth edition he added 240 species that had been previously described by Brisson.[4] One of these was the Moluccan king parrot. Linnaeus included a terse description, coined the binomial namePsittacus amboinensis and cited Brisson's work.[5] This species is now placed in the genusAlisterus which was introduced by the Australian amateur ornithologist Gregory Mathews in 1911.[6]
The Moluccan king parrot is one of three species collectively known as king parrots found in Australia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia.[7]
An adult Moluccan king parrot measures 35–40 cm (14 in) in length and has a red head and chest, outer wings dull green (except in subspecies A. a. hypophonius, which are blue), mantle, lesser wing coverts and tail-coverts dark purple-blue.[7][10] Tail darker blackish blue, irises orange, and the legs are dark grey.[7] The lower mandible is blackish, and the upper mandible is orange-red with a blackish tip, except in the subspecies A. a. buruensis, where the entire bill is blackish.[7] Unlike the other species of king parrots, the Moluccan king parrot does not display sexual dimorphism; that is, the sexes have similar plumage.[7] Juvenile birds have a dark-brown bill tipped paler, greenish mantle, dark brown irises and red-tips to lateral tail feathers.[7] Birds reach maturity in one year.[10][11]
Behavior
Encountered alone or in pairs, occasionally in small groups, it mainly frequents dense cover in the lower and mid-levels of forests.[12] It is inconspicuous and rather quiet, except in flight.[12] It consumes fruit, berries, seeds and buds.[7][11] Nesting takes place in a tree-hollow.[10] The breeding season begins in February and March, although breeding has not been observed in the wild, in captivity the clutch consists of two eggs which are incubated for 19 days. After hatching the chicks are ready to fledge at nine weeks old.[13]
Habitat and status
At Brevard Zoo
The Moluccan king parrot inhabits rainforests, but sometimes enters nearby plantations and gardens.[10] Exceptionally, it occurs at altitude up to 2100 m,[10] but more commonly below 1200 m (New Guinea)[14] or 1600 m (Maluku).[12]
It is generally uncommon due to habitat loss and capture for the parrot trade,[10] but remains locally common at least on the Sula Islands, Halmahera, and Buru.[12] Overall, the species is not believed to be in immediate danger, and consequently is listed as least concern by BirdLife International and IUCN.[1] As most parrots, the Moluccan king parrot is listed in Appendix II of CITES.
Aviculture
Until recently, only the subspecies A. a. amboinensis and A. a. hypophonius were regularly seen in aviculture, but A. a. buruensis and A. a. dorsalis are now also present, at least in zoos.[15][16] It has regularly been bred in captivity,[11] for example in Denmark.[17]
References
^ abBirdLife International (2016). "Alisterus amboinensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22685051A93056866. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22685051A93056866.en. Retrieved 11 November 2021.
^Brisson, Mathurin Jacques (1760). Ornithologie, ou, Méthode contenant la division des oiseaux en ordres, sections, genres, especes & leurs variétés (in French and Latin). Vol. 4. Paris: Jean-Baptiste Bauche. pp. 378–380, Plate 28 fig 2. The two stars (**) at the start of the section indicates that Brisson based his description on the examination of a specimen.
^ abAllen, J.A. (1910). "Collation of Brisson's genera of birds with those of Linnaeus". Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History. 28: 317–335. hdl:2246/678.
^Linnaeus, Carl (1766). Systema naturae : per regna tria natura, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis (in Latin). Vol. 1, Part 1 (12th ed.). Holmiae (Stockholm): Laurentii Salvii. p. 141.
^Mathews, Gregory (1911). "On some necessary alterations in the nomenclature of birds. Part II". Novitates Zoologicae. 18 (1): 1–22 [13]. doi:10.5962/bhl.part.1688.
^Gill, Frank; Donsker, David, eds. (2018). "Parrots, cockatoos". World Bird List Version 8.1. International Ornithologists' Union. Retrieved 4 April 2018.
^Forshaw, Joseph M.; Cooper, William T. (1978). Parrots of the World (2nd ed.). Melbourne: Landsdowne Editions. pp. 218–19. ISBN0-7018-0690-7.
^ abcdefJuniper, T. & M. Parr (1998). A Guide to the Parrots of the World. Pica Press. pp. 327–328. ISBN1-873403-40-2.
^ abcLexicon of Parrots, online version. Arndt Verlag. Accessed 19-06-2009
^ abcdCoates, B. J. & K. D. Bishop (1997). A Guide to the Birds of Wallacea. Dove Publications Pty. Ltd. pp. 342–343. ISBN0-9590257-3-1.
^Beehler, B., T. K. Pratt, & D. A. Zimmerman (1986). Birds of New Guinea. Princeton University Press. p. 122. ISBN0-691-08385-1.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
^Buru king parrot. Zootierliste.de. Accessed 19-06-2009
^Salawati king parrot. Zootierliste.de. Accessed 19-06-2009
^Vriends MM, Earle-Bridges M, Heming-Vriends TM (1992). The New Australian Parakeet Handbook. Barron's. p. 137. ISBN0-8120-4739-7.
External links
BirdLife Species Factsheet
Oriental Bird Images: Moluccan King Parrot Selected photos
July 17, 2023
moluccan, king, parrot, alisterus, amboinensis, parrot, endemic, peleng, island, maluku, west, papua, indonesia, sometimes, referred, ambon, king, parrot, amboina, king, parrot, this, potentially, misleading, found, numerous, other, islands, than, ambon, male,. The Moluccan king parrot Alisterus amboinensis is a parrot endemic to Peleng Island Maluku and West Papua in Indonesia It is sometimes referred to as the Ambon king parrot or Amboina king parrot 2 but this is potentially misleading as it is found on numerous other islands than Ambon The male and female are similar in appearance with a predominantly red head and underparts green wings blue in one subspecies and blue back and tail Six subspecies are recognised but only a few of these are regular in aviculture In the wild it inhabits rainforests and feeds on fruits berries seeds and buds Moluccan king parrotNominate subspecies at Brevard Zoo Florida USAConservation statusLeast Concern IUCN 3 1 1 Scientific classificationKingdom AnimaliaPhylum ChordataClass AvesOrder PsittaciformesFamily PsittaculidaeGenus AlisterusSpecies A amboinensisBinomial nameAlisterus amboinensis Linnaeus 1766 SynonymsPsittacus amboinensis Linnaeus 1766 Contents 1 Taxonomy 2 Description 3 Behavior 4 Habitat and status 5 Aviculture 6 References 7 External linksTaxonomy Edit Image of a colour lithograph of a Moluccan king parrot produced by William John Swainson in the first volume of Zoological IllustrationsIn 1760 the French zoologist Mathurin Jacques Brisson included a description of the Moluccan king parrot in his Ornithologie based on a specimen collected on the island of Ambon in Indonesia He used the French name La perruche rouge d Amboine and the Latin name Psittaca amboinensis coccinea 3 Although Brisson coined Latin names these do not conform to the binomial system and are not recognised by the International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature 4 When in 1766 the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus updated his Systema Naturae for the twelfth edition he added 240 species that had been previously described by Brisson 4 One of these was the Moluccan king parrot Linnaeus included a terse description coined the binomial name Psittacus amboinensis and cited Brisson s work 5 This species is now placed in the genus Alisterus which was introduced by the Australian amateur ornithologist Gregory Mathews in 1911 6 The Moluccan king parrot is one of three species collectively known as king parrots found in Australia Papua New Guinea and Indonesia 7 There are six subspecies 8 A a amboinensis Linnaeus 1766 is the nominate subspecies and found on Ambon and Seram 9 A a buruensis Salvadori 1876 is found on Buru in central Maluku 7 A a dorsalis Quoy amp Gaimard 1830 is found in West Papua The red plumage is slightly darker in this subspecies 7 A a hypophonius S Muller 1843 has all blue wings and is endemic to Halmahera in northern Maluku 7 A a sulaensis Reichenow 1881 is found on the Sula Islands 7 A a versicolor Neumann 1939 is endemic to the island of Peleng of the Banggai Islands 7 Description Edit At the bird park in Taman Mini Indonesia IndahAn adult Moluccan king parrot measures 35 40 cm 14 in in length and has a red head and chest outer wings dull green except in subspecies A a hypophonius which are blue mantle lesser wing coverts and tail coverts dark purple blue 7 10 Tail darker blackish blue irises orange and the legs are dark grey 7 The lower mandible is blackish and the upper mandible is orange red with a blackish tip except in the subspecies A a buruensis where the entire bill is blackish 7 Unlike the other species of king parrots the Moluccan king parrot does not display sexual dimorphism that is the sexes have similar plumage 7 Juvenile birds have a dark brown bill tipped paler greenish mantle dark brown irises and red tips to lateral tail feathers 7 Birds reach maturity in one year 10 11 Behavior EditEncountered alone or in pairs occasionally in small groups it mainly frequents dense cover in the lower and mid levels of forests 12 It is inconspicuous and rather quiet except in flight 12 It consumes fruit berries seeds and buds 7 11 Nesting takes place in a tree hollow 10 The breeding season begins in February and March although breeding has not been observed in the wild in captivity the clutch consists of two eggs which are incubated for 19 days After hatching the chicks are ready to fledge at nine weeks old 13 Habitat and status Edit At Brevard ZooThe Moluccan king parrot inhabits rainforests but sometimes enters nearby plantations and gardens 10 Exceptionally it occurs at altitude up to 2100 m 10 but more commonly below 1200 m New Guinea 14 or 1600 m Maluku 12 It is generally uncommon due to habitat loss and capture for the parrot trade 10 but remains locally common at least on the Sula Islands Halmahera and Buru 12 Overall the species is not believed to be in immediate danger and consequently is listed as least concern by BirdLife International and IUCN 1 As most parrots the Moluccan king parrot is listed in Appendix II of CITES Aviculture EditUntil recently only the subspecies A a amboinensis and A a hypophonius were regularly seen in aviculture but A a buruensis and A a dorsalis are now also present at least in zoos 15 16 It has regularly been bred in captivity 11 for example in Denmark 17 References Edit a b BirdLife International 2016 Alisterus amboinensis IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016 e T22685051A93056866 doi 10 2305 IUCN UK 2016 3 RLTS T22685051A93056866 en Retrieved 11 November 2021 Moluccan King Parrot Mangoverde Accessed 19 06 2009 Brisson Mathurin Jacques 1760 Ornithologie ou Methode contenant la division des oiseaux en ordres sections genres especes amp leurs varietes in French and Latin Vol 4 Paris Jean Baptiste Bauche pp 378 380 Plate 28 fig 2 The two stars at the start of the section indicates that Brisson based his description on the examination of a specimen a b Allen J A 1910 Collation of Brisson s genera of birds with those of Linnaeus Bulletin of the American Museum of Natural History 28 317 335 hdl 2246 678 Linnaeus Carl 1766 Systema naturae per regna tria natura secundum classes ordines genera species cum characteribus differentiis synonymis locis in Latin Vol 1 Part 1 12th ed Holmiae Stockholm Laurentii Salvii p 141 Mathews Gregory 1911 On some necessary alterations in the nomenclature of birds Part II Novitates Zoologicae 18 1 1 22 13 doi 10 5962 bhl part 1688 a b c d e f g h i j k l Forshaw Joseph M 2006 Parrots of the World an Identification Guide Illustrated by Frank Knight Princeton University Press ISBN 0 691 09251 6 Gill Frank Donsker David eds 2018 Parrots cockatoos World Bird List Version 8 1 International Ornithologists Union Retrieved 4 April 2018 Forshaw Joseph M Cooper William T 1978 Parrots of the World 2nd ed Melbourne Landsdowne Editions pp 218 19 ISBN 0 7018 0690 7 a b c d e f Juniper T amp M Parr 1998 A Guide to the Parrots of the World Pica Press pp 327 328 ISBN 1 873403 40 2 a b c Lexicon of Parrots online version Arndt Verlag Accessed 19 06 2009 a b c d Coates B J amp K D Bishop 1997 A Guide to the Birds of Wallacea Dove Publications Pty Ltd pp 342 343 ISBN 0 9590257 3 1 Collar N 1997 Family Psittacidae Parrots in Handbook of the Birds of the World Volume 4 Sandgrouse to Cuckoos eds del Hoyo J Elliott A Sargatal J Lynx Edicions Barcelona ISBN 84 87334 22 9 Beehler B T K Pratt amp D A Zimmerman 1986 Birds of New Guinea Princeton University Press p 122 ISBN 0 691 08385 1 a href Template Cite book html title Template Cite book cite book a CS1 maint multiple names authors list link Buru king parrot Zootierliste de Accessed 19 06 2009 Salawati king parrot Zootierliste de Accessed 19 06 2009 Vriends MM Earle Bridges M Heming Vriends TM 1992 The New Australian Parakeet Handbook Barron s p 137 ISBN 0 8120 4739 7 External links EditBirdLife Species Factsheet Oriental Bird Images Moluccan King Parrot Selected photos Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Moluccan king parrot amp oldid 1120714160, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
