Cape Parrot

The Cape parrot, also known as Levaillant's parrot, is a large bird with a robust build, native to the temperate forests of South Africa. It is distinguished by its short tail and a formidable beak, perfectly adapted to cracking the hard nuts and kernels of indigenous yellowwood trees.

Identification Tips

Adult Cape parrots are sexually dimorphic. Males typically lack the orange frontal patch found on the foreheads of females. Juveniles can be recognized by a more extensive orange-pink patch on the forehead, but they do not yet have the red markings on the shoulders and legs seen in adults. These features, however, can vary among individuals.

Habitat

The Cape parrot is endemic to the Afromontane forests of South Africa, thriving at moderate altitudes. These forests are characterized by the presence of yellowwood trees and are fragmented into small patches across the south and east of the country.

Distribution

This species has a disjunct distribution within South Africa, with the largest populations found in the Amathole mountains of the Eastern Cape Province. Smaller populations are scattered eastward through the Mthatha escarpment and Pondoland in the Eastern Cape, extending to the southern midlands of KwaZulu-Natal Province.

Behaviour

Cape parrots are known for their distinctive slow, 'rowing' flight and their raucous calls. They are also recognized for their ability to travel long distances in search of food, which can sometimes lead to challenges in accurately counting their numbers in the wild.

Similar Species

The Cape parrot was previously considered a subspecies of the brown-necked parrot but is now recognized as a distinct species. It is smaller than its relatives and has an olive-yellow head rather than a silvery-grey one.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the Cape parrot is primarily composed of the nuts and fruit kernels from African yellowwood trees, which they are adept at cracking with their powerful beaks.

Conservation status

The Cape parrot is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Its survival is threatened by habitat loss due to logging and changes to yellowwood trees, which provide essential nesting sites. The species is also at risk from the Psittacine beak and feather disease virus. Conservation efforts include habitat preservation, the provision of nesting boxes, and the regulation of trade through CITES and South African law.