Alisterus chloropterus
The Papuan King Parrot, *Alisterus chloropterus*, is a breathtakingly vibrant parrot species endemic to the island of New Guinea. Males are distinguished by their striking brilliant red head, neck, and underparts, contrasted with an iridescent green back and wings, a prominent blue band on the hindneck, and a vivid blue lower back and rump. Females exhibit strong sexual dimorphism, featuring a green head, neck, and upper breast, transitioning to a red lower breast and belly, and often lacking...
Primarily inhabits lowland and mid-montane rainforests, forest edges, and sometimes more open wooded areas and cultivated land. Found from sea level up to elevations of approximately 2,600 meters.
Feeds primarily on seeds, fruits, nuts, berries, and blossoms, foraging high in the canopy of trees and shrubs.
Papuan King Parrots are diurnal, often observed in pairs or small family groups, moving with a quiet, deliberate grace through the forest canopy. They forage methodically for food, contrasting with the boisterous feeding habits of many parrot species. While territorial during breeding, they are n...
The Papuan King Parrot is entirely endemic to the island of New Guinea, encompassing both Papua New Guinea and the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua. Its distribution spans various habitats from lowland rainforests to mid-montane forests, typically at elevations from sea level up to 2,...
Least Concern
- Papuan King Parrots exhibit one of the most striking examples of sexual dimorphism among parrots, with males being predominantly red and females predominantly green on their head and upper body. - They are endemic to the island of New Guinea and its satellite islands, found nowhere else in the ...