Un-cape Parrot

Taxobox
name =Grey-headed Parrot
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1


image_width = 240px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Psittaciformes
familia = Psittacidae
tribus = Psittacini
genus = "Poicephalus"
species = "P. fuscicollis"
binomial = "Poicephalus fuscicollis"
binomial_authority = Kuhl, 1820
subdivision_ranks = Subspecies
subdivision = "P.f.fuscicollis"
"P.f.suahelicus"

Un-cape Parrot has enjoyed some popularity as the common name for "Poicephalus fuscicollis", following a controversial splitting of subspecies into species. It is an African parrot and according to the controversial new classification comprises the two subspecies "P.f. fuscicollis" and "P.f. suahelicues", the Brown-necked Parrot and the Grey-headed Parrot, respectively. Un-Cape Parrot is not an accepted common name, and at least some aviculturists would prefer that it not be used. To provide some continuity with the old classification, many aviculturists refer to Brown-necked Cape Parrots and Grey-headed Cape Parrots.

Classification

The classification of the Cape Parrot ("P. robustus") and the Un-cape Parrot ("P. fuscicollis") as separate species is controversial, and further clarification is needed.

Un-cape Parrot ("Poicephalus fuscicollis")
*"Poicephalus fuscicollis fuscicollis": Brown-necked Parrot
*"Poicephalus fuscicollis suahelicus": Grey-headed Parrot

Description

The two subspecies of "P. fuscicollis" differ in the colour of their head and neck; the Grey-headed Parrot has a grey head and the Brown-headed Parrot has a grey/brown neck. The two subspecies have dark green upper parks, light green lower parts and have orange on their shoulders. Juvenile birds have orange foreheads, which is retained on adult female parrots and is lost from the male parrots on maturity. This sexual dimorphism enables adult birds to be sexed.

External links

* [http://www.oldworldaviaries.com/text/lewis/poicephalus-taxonomy.htm Taxonomy of Poicephalus parrots]
* [http://www.wingscentral.org/aps/faqcapes.aspx Cape Parrot FAQ]