Birdlife of Solomon Islands 2005 (Part 3)-Parrots (Continuation)

 

To continue  the previous edition in the title “Birds of Solomon Islands 2005 (Part 3)- Parrots”, detail of the depicted parrot species such as: Finsch’s pygmy parrot (Micropsitta finschii), Cardinal Lory (Chalcopsitta cardinalis), Solomons Cockatoo (Cacatua ducorpsii),  Eclectus Parrot (Eclectus roratus), Rainbow Lorikeet, (Trichoglossus haematodus), Song Parrot (Geoffroyus heteroclitus) have described in the following paragraphs.

 

Finsch’s Pygmy Parrot (Micropsitta finschii)

Finsch’s pygmy parrot (Micropsitta finschii), also known as the green or emerald pygmy parrot, is characterized by a green head and neck (which is unique among species of the genus Micropsitta). The typical length of a green pygmy parrot is 9.5 cm with an average weight of 12 g . Male and female individuals can be identified by slight differences in coloration

Finsch’s pygmy parrots are found in tropical rainforests up to an elevation of 900 m.The geographic range of this species includes Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and the Bismarck Archipelago.

Birds of Solomon Islands 2005 (Part II)–Pigeon (Continuation)

To continue the previous edition in the title “ Birds of Solomon Islands 2005 (Part 2)- Pigeon” , detail of each stamps  which  depicted the endemic pigeon species such as :  Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon (Ducula rubricera),  Yellow-bibbed Fruit Dove    (Ptilinopus solomonensis) ,  Claret-breasted Fruit Dove    (Ptilinopus viridis),  Nicobar Pigeon    (Caloenas nicobarica),  Stephan's Emerald Dove    (Chalcophaps stephani) and  Crested Cuckoo-Dove   (Reinwardtoena crassirostris) described as follow :

 

Red-knobbed Imperial Pigeon  (Ducula rubricera)

Ducula rubricera is widely distributed in Papua New Guinea and on nearly all forested islands in the Solomon Islands. Although it is still common where extensive forest remains, it is much rarer in degraded habitats.

It is a large robust pigeon ( 40 cm) with pale upper back, head, neck, throat and breast. Distinctive large reddish (occasionally yellowish) cere above bill. Wing-coverts iridescent emerald, bronzy or golden green with darker secondary and tail feathers tainted bluish.Primaries blackish-blue and  the color of under-wing is dull grey. The Legs are purplish-red.Juvenile resembles adult but lacking red cere.