The striking change in colour between the females and males made early ornithologists think of them as two different species.
Physical Features
Its length ranges from 35 to 42 cm and its weight can reach up to 600 grams.
The plumage of this bird is one of its most striking features, being predominantly red in females, with a violet breast and black beak, contrasting greatly with the intense green of the males, which only have red feathers under their wings and an orange and yellow beak. This clear difference between males and females is known as sexual dimorphism, and in addition to colour they also differ in size.
Habitat
It inhabits forests and cleared areas with some trees in the territories of the Solomon Islands, Australia and New Guinea.
Diet
Their diet, as in most Psittacines, is based on fruits, nuts and berries, which they collect from the trees, as they rarely come down to the ground.
Reproduction
The breeding season runs from April to September, with August and September being the most frequent months. This does not mean that they have not laid their eggs in months other than these.
They use the hollows of large trees to build their nests, which they widen by breaking the bark with the force of their beak. In these nests they lay two eggs which they incubate for a period of 25 days, and then raise the chicks for about 3 months.
Behaviour
They are social birds that we usually find forming flocks very grouped in a few trees, where they take advantage of the opportunity to feed.
They have a great ability to imitate sounds and because of this trait they have become very popular as pets.
Threats
Habitat destruction due to urban encroachment, climate change and capture for the illegal exotic species market are the main threats to these birds.
Status and conservation
It is a species of psittacine whose population remains stable but is nonetheless at some risk due to the extensive trade it has experienced. It is therefore listed in Appendix II of the CITES Convention.
Classified as Least Concern (LC) in the IUCN Red List.
