Rüppell's parrot

Appearance

The plumage is dark grayish-brown. The shoulders, the wing bend and the underwings are yellow. The undertail coverts and rump are blue. The female of the Rüppell's parrot is more intense in the blue coloring. The beak of these birds is blackish-gray and the iris is orange-red. The juvenile birds have not yet developed the yellow shoulder spot.
The Rüppell's parrot has its habitat in southwestern Angola as well as in the northern and central parts of Namibia. As long-winged parrots, the Rüppell's parrot lives in small family groups consisting of the parent birds and the juvenile birds.

Behavior

Only occasionally do several family groups come together to form loose associations. In places with a large food supply, flocks can comprise well over 100 individuals. Rüppell's parrots are very shy birds with a very large flight distance from humans. Long-winged parrots spend the night in the crowns of so-called roosting trees. These are usually trees that are regularly used as sleeping sites. When it begins to dawn in the morning, they first preen their plumage and then set off to their feeding grounds, preceded by loud calls. On the way to the feeding grounds, considerable distances can be covered.

Diet

After feeding in the morning, the crowns of nearby trees are visited and the long-winged parrots remain there until late afternoon. The resting and sleeping phases are interrupted by intensive plumage care. Before the Rüppell's parrots return to their roosting sites, they visit the feeding sites once more late in the afternoon.

Rüppell's parrots are in demand and are becoming increasingly popular among breeders. It must be noted that the Rüppell's parrot is not suitable for solitary keeping. It absolutely needs a partner to feel comfortable. Conservation breeding for this parrot is very important for the preservation of the species.