Birds Posters
Parakeet and Rosella
Parakeet is a term for any one of a large number of unrelated small to medium sized species of parrot, that generally have long tail feathers.
Older spellings still sometimes encountered are paroquet or paraquet.
The Parakeet Auklet used to be placed on its own in the genus Cyclorrhynchus but recent morphological and genetic evidence suggest it should be placed in the genus Aethia.
It is named because of its unusually shaped bill, which is almost round like that of a parrot.
This unique bill shape helps them to feed on their favorite foods of slimy jellyfish and zooplankton.
It makes a series of rhythimc hoarse calls and a quavering squeal.
Their function is unknown, but could be associated with defending its burrow from intruders and strengthening the bond with its mate.
Found in the Americas, the extinct Conuropsis carolinensis was found from southern Florida to North Carolina and in coastal areas as far north as New York.
Male and female adults were identical in plumage, however males were slightly larger than females.
The majority of the plumage was green with lighter green underparts.
The primary feathers were mostly green, but with yellow edges on the outer primaries.
The shoulders were yellow, continuing down the outer edge of the wings. Thighs were green towards the top and yellow towards the feet.
Carolina parakeets traveled in flocks from 100 to 1000 birds. They nested with as many as 30 birds in one nest.
They were presumed to be monogamous. These were highly social birds, which was probably one of the many factors that led to their extinction.
Carolina parakeets ate primarily seeds of cockleburs (Xanthium sp.).
They also ate the fruits and seeds of many other plants, as well as flower buds and, occasionally, insects.
They were recorded as ruining many fruit crops.
Brown-throated parakeets (Aratinga pertinax) are found across northern South America but primarily north of the Amazon River.
Aratinga pertinax is a polytypic, black-billed, green conure with considerable variation in coloration.
Its fourteen subspecies are distinguishable by the varied mixture of yellow and brown on their face and throat.
The adults have a overall green plumage, but underneath they are paler and have more yellow.
A rosella is one of five to eight species of colorful Australian parrots in the genus Platycercus.
Platycercus means "broad-tailed" or "flat-tailed", reflecting a feature common to the rosellas and other members of the broad-tailed parrot tribe.Their diet is mainly seeds and fruit.
Ranging in size from 26 to 37 cm (10 to 14.5 in), rosellas are medium-sized parrots with long tails.
The feathers on their backs show an obvious scalloping appearance with colouring that differs between the species.
All species have distinctive cheek patches.
Rosellas feed predominantly on seeds and fruit, with food held in the foot. They enjoy bathing in puddles of water in the wild and in captivity.
Rosellas scratch their heads with the foot behind the wing.