Horned Parakeet Eunymphicus cornutus Scientific name definitions

32 cm; male 167 g, female 125 g (1 Boon Wee Ming, Robinet, O., Rawlence, N., Bretagnolle, V., Norman, J.A., Christidis, L. and Chambers, G.K. (2008). Morphological, behavioural and genetic differentiation within the Horned Parakeet (Eunymphicus cornutus) and its affinities to Cyanoramphus and Prosopeia. Emu 108(3): 251–260. Close ). Generally green , more yellowish on underparts, with rump, ear-coverts and nape greenish yellow; forehead to mid-crown  red with several (usually two), long, red-tipped black crest-feathers  (60–70 mm); front of face  around eye to chin smudgily black; outer webs of primaries violet blue; tail distally shaded violet, lateral feathers violet tipped whitish. Bare parts: bill blue-grey tipped black, iris orange, and legs and feet black. Sexes alike, but female smaller in most biometrics. Immature has greyer and less extensive facial markings, pale green ear-coverts, olive-green hindneck; bill horn-coloured, iris brown. Differs from sympatric <em>Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae saisseti</em> by head pattern, bluer, longer and more rounded tail, and larger, stouter structure, and from <em>Trichoglossus haematodus deplanchii</em> by lack of dark purple head and red breast, slower flight and different habits. Formerly conspecific E. uvaeensis, confined to island of Ouvea, lacks yellow tinging on head, with more crest feathers, all green, and red more restricted on crown.

New Caledonia.

Forests up to 30 m tall), notably Agathis australis and Araucaria-dominated, as well as savannas, low-stature forest and scrub in maquis and high mountains, but avoids coconut plantations and coastal areas. Commonest in humid valleys, especially on limestone soils, and recorded to 1500 m (2 Dutson, G. (2011). Birds of Melanesia: The Bismarcks, Solomons, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ).

Sedentary, but it may migrate seasonally to foraging grounds during austral winter (Jun–Sep). Birds able to cross scrub between forest blocks, and species is not believed to be fragmented into distinct subpopulations.

Berries of vines, seeds of various trees and shrubs, notably “penubre tree”, Agathis lanceolata, Lantana camara and Carica papaya (3 Juniper, T., and M. Parr (1998). Parrots: A Guide to the Parrots of the World. Pica Press, Robertsbridge, UK. Close ). Typically observed in pairs or small flocks of up to 6–10 birds, feeding high in canopy (2 Dutson, G. (2011). Birds of Melanesia: The Bismarcks, Solomons, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ), but sometimes observed in larger flocks feeding in savanna areas.

Noisy , giving repeated, nasal, raucous  “khoo” or “kho-koot” calls, rather similar to those of New Caledonian Crow (Corvus moneduloides), but lower-pitched and more trumpeting, and more varied than those of sympatric Cyanoramphus novaezelandiae saisseti; also gives softer chattering notes and range of shrieks (in alarm) and chuckling calls (when perched or feeding) (2 Dutson, G. (2011). Birds of Melanesia: The Bismarcks, Solomons, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. Christopher Helm, London, UK. Close ). Compared to E. uvaeensis, calls are slower in tempo (especially food-begging call) and higher-pitched (all call types), with the mate (contact) call being most different (1 Boon Wee Ming, Robinet, O., Rawlence, N., Bretagnolle, V., Norman, J.A., Christidis, L. and Chambers, G.K. (2008). Morphological, behavioural and genetic differentiation within the Horned Parakeet (Eunymphicus cornutus) and its affinities to Cyanoramphus and Prosopeia. Emu 108(3): 251–260. Close ).

Sept–Mar. Nest in hole in dead or living tree, species including Metrosideros demonstrans; sometimes on ground, including under rocks and in fallen tree-trunks (4 Ekstrom, J. M. M., J. P. G. Jones, J. Willis, J. Tobias, G. C. L. Dutson, and N. Barré (2002). New information on the distribution, status and conservation of terrestrial bird species in Grande Terre, New Caledonia. Emu 102(2):197–207. Close ). Two pairs sometimes share the same nest (5 Theuerkauf, J., Rouys, S., Mériot, J.M., Gula, R. and Kuehn, R. (2009). Cooperative breeding, mate guarding, and nest sharing in two parrot species of New Caledonia. Journal of Ornithology. 150(4): 791–797. Close ). Eggs 2–4, although usually only two young are reared, which reach maximum weight of 180 g (5 Theuerkauf, J., Rouys, S., Mériot, J.M., Gula, R. and Kuehn, R. (2009). Cooperative breeding, mate guarding, and nest sharing in two parrot species of New Caledonia. Journal of Ornithology. 150(4): 791–797. Close ); in captivity, incubation lasts 21–22 days (by female alone), nestling period 5–6 weeks. Breeding success: at 17 wild nests, mean clutch size 3·4 eggs, with mean number hatching 2·8 and mean number of fledglings 1·9 (5 Theuerkauf, J., Rouys, S., Mériot, J.M., Gula, R. and Kuehn, R. (2009). Cooperative breeding, mate guarding, and nest sharing in two parrot species of New Caledonia. Journal of Ornithology. 150(4): 791–797. Close ).

VULNERABLE. CITES I. A BirdLife “restricted-range” species. Has declined substantially since the 1880s owing to habitat loss and cagebird trade and may now number c. 8000–9000 individuals, equivalent to 5300–6000 mature individuals. Range much reduced on Mt Panié (now restricted to NW part). Numbers and trends poorly known; prior to 2003–2006 just two independent population estimates of 1000–3000 birds and 720 pairs, respectively. A recent study using distance sampling density data, records, and ecological niche modelling indicates that species has wider distribution and is commoner than previously believed. During 2003–2006 surveys, species was recorded from Ignambi massif in N of New Caledonia to various massifs of Grand Sud in S, being recorded on 57% of massifs in N and 42% of those in S. Absent from Île des Pins. Locally common in central part of the “chaîne” (Mé Maoya Massif, Moindou-Farino area, Poindimié-Ponérihouen area), while numbers have been stable in Rivière Bleue over last 20 years. Any current decline might be due to habitat degradation, through logging and by introduced Rusa deer (Rusa timorensis), while black rats (Rattus rattus) occasionally prey on species’ nest, although this is unconfirmed. Particularly wet (La Niña) years reduce breeding success. Little documented trapping or trade (4 Ekstrom, J. M. M., J. P. G. Jones, J. Willis, J. Tobias, G. C. L. Dutson, and N. Barré (2002). New information on the distribution, status and conservation of terrestrial bird species in Grande Terre, New Caledonia. Emu 102(2):197–207. Close ) and, although there are captive birds on Grande Terre and birds are locally sought for trade, this seems to be marginal and since the species breeds in remote areas and its nests are hard to find, poaching is unlikely to be major threat. Occasional illegal hunting. The introduction of Psittacine Beak and Feather Disease could be threat, but to date tests for the disease have proved negative in this species (6 Jackson, B., Lorenzo, A., Theuerkauf, J., Barnaud, A., Duval, T., Guichard, P., Bloc, H., Baouma, A., Stainton, D., Kraberger, S., Murphy, S., Clark, N., Dillon, C., Knight, T. and Varsani, A. (2014). Preliminary surveillance for beak and feather disease virus in wild parrots of New Caledonia: implications of a reservoir species for Ouvea Parakeets. Emu. 114(3): 283–289. Close ).