Polytelis swainsonii (Superb Parrot)

Superb Parrot

Polytelis swainsonii at Suppressed - 8 Dec 2018

Identification history

Polytelis swainsonii	27 Nov 2019	natureguy
Polytelis swainsonii	18 Nov 2019	MPepping

3 comments

BLSHFour wrote:

28 Nov 2019

Please may I contest this identification as a Superb Parrot
1. It is outside of the limits of distribution as recorded in Birdata Atlas and has not been recorded in the Highlands before.
2. Both male, female and immature Superb Parrots have bright beaks and on my screen the beak is yellow/bone coloured.
3. We cannot see the bird's body
There are two possibilities, either an immature King Parrot or a Red Rumped Parrot (male)
As a comment I feel we should not identify birds with only limited views

BLSHTwo wrote:

28 Nov 2019

I am still happy with Superb Parrot for a number of reasons.

- Although outside its normal range, as a result of dry conditions inland, movements of various bird species into 'coastal' areas has been occurring lately so although unlikely, definitely not impossible. The other point to consider is that Superb Parrots are a commonly kept aviary species so it may well be an escapee.
- The lack of a bright beak is not that unusual for a female or young bird and may indeed be due to the bird sitting in the shade and the quality of the photo.
- The long, separated tail feathers is fairly distinctive of this species as is the faint blue tint that can be seen on the face.

BLSHFour wrote:

28 Nov 2019

BLSH two. I essentially agree with the concepts you espouse, possible escapee, climate migration but its a bit far and wrong habitat. From years in the Riverina where they are so common the bill is always red....or is it light and screen at play here. I still feel as a principle that in establishing the scientific accuracy of Nature mpr that we must only use good photos of the entire bird and this applies especially to what could be a very rare sighting in the Highlands. Its the old maxim...bad data is worse that no data and if we do not set standards now we will regret it in the years to come.

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Species information

Highly Sensitive
Very Rare / Threatened
Non-Invasive

Sighting information

1 Abundance
8 Dec 2018 8:54 AM Recorded on
MPepping Recorded by
Website Reported via