Lord Howe parakeet
Lord Howe parakeet | |
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Illustration by Keulemans, 1891 | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Psittaciformes |
Family: | Psittaculidae |
Genus: | Cyanoramphus |
Species: | †C. subflavescens
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Binomial name | |
†Cyanoramphus subflavescens | |
Synonyms | |
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The Lord Howe parakeet (Cyanoramphus subflavescens),
Taxonomy
Pending molecular analysis, Christidis & Boles (2008) have suggested on
Description
The Lord Howe parakeet was a medium-sized green parrot with a crimson cap and eye-stripe. Measurements of specimens indicate that it was slightly larger than the nominate subspecies, as well as having yellower plumage and less extensive red markings on the head.[5]
Extinction
The parrot was formerly abundant on the island, but was persecuted by the early settlers there because of its raids on their crops and gardens. It was last recorded in 1869.[6][7]
Only two specimens of the Lord Howe parakeet exist. They come from the John Gould collection, taken by John MacGillivray in September 1853 on the voyage of HMS Herald, and are held in the Natural History Museum.[8]
References
- ^ Salvadori, T. (1891). Descriptions of two new species of parrots of the genus Cyanoramphus in the British Museum. Ann. Mag. Nat. Hist. 7(6): 68.
- ^ a b IOC world birdnames Archived 2012-08-06 at the Wayback Machine
- ^ Julian Pender Hume & Michale Walters: Extinct Birds p 171
- ISBN 978-0-643-06511-6, p.157.
- ISBN 0-19-553071-3, p.490.
- ^ Higgins et al, p.477.
- ^ Hindwood, K.A. (1940). The Birds of Lord Howe Island. Emu 40: 1-86. , p.63.
- ISBN 0-643-06456-7p.147.
Further reading
- Walters, Michael P. & ISBN 978-140-815-725-1p 171