Red-bellied parrot facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red-bellied parrot |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Male (left) and female (right) | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Poicephalus
|
| Species: |
rufiventris
|
The red-bellied parrot (Poicephalus rufiventris) is a small African parrot. It grows to about 23 centimeters (9 inches) long. This bird belongs to a group of parrots called Poicephalus, which has many species found all over Africa.
Red-bellied parrots are mostly greenish and grey. The males have a bright orange belly. Females, however, have a greenish belly.
About the Red-bellied Parrot
_-stretching-8a.jpg)
The red-bellied parrot is a small bird, about 23 centimeters (9 inches) long. It usually weighs around 140 grams (5 ounces). Its feathers are mostly green and grey. The green color is brighter on its lower body. The grey is more noticeable on its upper body.
Adult parrots have green feathers covering the top parts of their legs. They also have red eyes and dark grey beaks. Males and females look different, which is called sexual dimorphism. Males typically have a bright orange lower chest and belly. Adult females have greenish feathers in these same areas. This difference in color can be seen even when they are young chicks.
What Red-bellied Parrots Eat
Red-bellied parrots enjoy a varied diet. They eat seeds, fruit kernels, and flowers. They also like nectar, which is a sweet liquid from plants. Sometimes, they will eat leaves, tree bark, and juice from hard fruits.
You might wonder why it's called "red-bellied" if the males have an orange belly. The word "orange" for the color was not used in English until after the fruit "orange" was discovered and named. So, many animals that we now call orange were once described as "red." This is because there wasn't a specific word for the color orange in English yet.
Life Cycle and Reproduction
Red-bellied parrots build their nests inside hollow spaces in trees. The female parrot lays white eggs. Usually, there are three eggs in one nest, which is called a clutch.
The female parrot sits on the eggs to keep them warm for about 28 days. This is called incubation. After the chicks hatch, they stay in the nest for about 63 days. Then, they are ready to leave the nest and explore on their own.
