Blue Crowned Hanging Parrot

Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Loriculus galgulus

The Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot, Loriculus galgulus, is common to very common in localities and is endemic to Thailand south of Kra, Malaysia, Singapore, Anamba and Riau Islands, Borneo and some off-shore islands, Sumatra as well as islands of Bangka, Belitung, Nias, Siberut, Sipora and Enggano, in Indonesia.

They favor lowland forest and mangroves, and - in some instances - are also seen in wooded areas up to 4,300 ft (1,300 m). To a lesser extend, they may be found in marshland areas, tall secondary vegetation and bamboo thickets. On occasion, they visit coconut plantations, orchards and gardens.

In their natural habitat, they occur singly, in pairs and small family groups outside breeding season. Their green plumage camouflages them well in foliage, and most often, they are seen flying. They may be found foraging in flowering or fruiting trees and bushes. At favored feeding places, large gatherings can at times be seen - especially towards the evenings when they gather on roosting places in bushes. At times, groups of up to 150 of them can be seen in one locality.

Even though they are not known to be noisy, their calls are sharp and shrill.

Description:

This is a small parrot, averaging 4 to 5 inches (12 to 13 cm) in length. The plumage is generally green. The breast, abdomen and under tail-coverts are yellowish-green. Males have a distinctive dark-blue patch to the crown and a red throat patch. The lower back and upper tail-coverts are red. The back has a yellowish tinge. A yellow band can be seen across the lower back. The under wing-coverts and underside of the wings are greenish-blue. The upperside of the tail is green and the underside is greenish-blue. They have black bills and dark brown irises. Their feet are brownish-flesh colored.

Hens have a duller plumage. Her breast, abdomen and under tail-coverts are more yellowish. The blue patch to the crown and the yellowish tinge to the back is faint. They lack the red throat patch of the male.

Young birds look like females, but their feathers have a narrow dark edging. The forehead is grey with a bluish tinge. The lack the blue patch to the crown that can be seen in the mature male. The lower back is interspersed with green. The bill is pale horn-colored and their feet are brownish.