What to Know About the Brown-headed Parrot in Uganda?

The Brown-Headed Parrot in Uganda is one of the African Uganda Birds seen during Bird watching in Uganda. The Brown-headed Parrot is endemic in Uganda. They are found in almost any woodland within the forest savannahs and the dry woodlands.

They prefer baobab trees. These gregarious birds are usually seen in small flocks of around 12. At favored feeding places, flocks of up to 50 may congregate.

Even though this species is endangered in its natural habitat the Brown-headed Parrot are popular in aviculture.

They can live up to 30 years under captivity, provided good care is given. However, most live only 15 to 20 years.

How Does the Brown-headed Parrot in Uganda Look Like?

The general plumage color is green. The under-wing coverts are bright yellow, although the extent of this is variable.

It is from this yellow that the specific name derives, kryptos being Greek for hidden or concealed and xanthos meaning yellow.

The rump is very bright, almost metallic green. As the margins of the feathers on the underparts, with this coloration becoming more pronounced towards the vent and thighs.

The neck is grey-brown merging to brown on the head but merging to greenish on the mantle. On some individuals, some random yellow feathers are visible on the head, neck and wings.

Why these occur is unknown but it has been proposed that these may result from over-vigorous preening by parents.

The tail is edged olive-brown and tipped green. The iris is greenish yellow or yellow and the legs and feet are blackish grey.

The bill is dark, almost black above, merging to whitish below. The immature is duller than the adult and yellowish below. The flight is fast and direct.

How Does the Brown-headed Parrot in Uganda Sing and Make Calls?

Their contact calls consist of a series of screeches, often with brief pauses. Their alarm calls start with a growl and escalate into shrieking cries. Captive birds mimic sounds around them.

How Does the Brown-headed Parrot in Uganda Feed?

Their natural diet includes fruits, berries, flowers, seeds, nuts, as well as the occasional insect. They may also forage on cultivated crops.

How Does the Brown-headed Parrot in Uganda Breed?

Brown heads can be considered mature at about 2 years old, but they may not breed until they are 3 or 4. Brown heads, like most Poicephalus, often seem to breed in winter, though there are those that will breed year-round.

How Does the Brown-headed Parrot in Uganda Reproduce?

Most pairs will lay 2 or 3 times per year, with 2 being perhaps slightly more common than 3 to 4 eggs as an average. Incubation Period is usually 28 days. Most young brown heads fledge around 8-10 weeks old.