Poicephalus cryptoxanthus (W.Peters, 1854)

Species Identification

This species is Poicephalus cryptoxanthus.

General Plumage

Its general plumage is green; Sinclair et al. (1993) describe it as "the greenest parrot of the sub-region".

Under Wing Coverts

The under wing coverts are bright yellow, with variable extent across individuals.

Etymology of Specific Name

The species' specific name derives from this yellow marking: kryptos is Greek for hidden or concealed, and xanthos means yellow.

Rump Coloration

The rump is a very bright, almost metallic green.

Underpart Feather Margins

The margins of underpart feathers share this bright green coloration, which grows more pronounced towards the vent and thighs.

Neck and Head Coloration

The neck is grey-brown; it blends to brown on the head, and to greenish on the mantle.

Scattered Yellow Feathers

Some individuals have scattered random yellow feathers on the head, neck, and wings.

Cause of Extra Yellow Feathers

The cause of these extra yellow feathers is unknown, but it has been proposed that they may result from over-vigorous preening by parents.

Tail Characteristics

The tail is edged olive-brown and tipped green.

Iris Color Variation

Sources disagree on iris color: Maclean (1993) states it is greenish yellow, while Forshaw (1989) describes it as yellow.

Leg and Foot Coloration

The legs and feet are blackish grey.

Bill Coloration

The upper bill is dark, almost black, and blends to whitish on the lower bill.

Immature Plumage

Immature birds are consistently described as duller than adults and yellowish on the underparts, per sources including Maclean (1993).

Flight Characteristics

Forshaw (1989) describes the species' flight as fast and direct.