How to identify the Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot

To correctly identify the Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot (Loriculus galgulus), check each of these features. Birds can be tricky: habit, habitat, and call often confirm a sighting that a single photo cannot.

Size at a glance

Length

12-13 cm

Wingspan

Approximately 20-22 cm

Weight

28-32 g

Physical features to check

1. 1

   Plumage

   Overall feather coloration and pattern.

   Predominantly bright green. Males have a vivid blue crown patch, a red throat patch, and a red rump. Females lack the blue crown and red throat patch, having a duller green head and a smaller, less intense red rump. Both sexes have yellow underwing coverts and a short, pointed red tail.

2. 2

   Beak shape

   Shape and color of the bill: a key field mark.

   Small, hooked, and reddish-orange.

3. 3

   Eye color

   Iris color and any distinctive eye markings.

   Pale yellow to whitish iris.

4. 4

   Leg color

   Leg and foot color.

   Orange-flesh colored.

5. 5

   Distinguishing features

   Standout features that separate this species.

   The small size, bright green plumage, and the male's prominent blue crown and red throat patch are key. The habit of hanging upside down is also a strong identifier.

6. 6

   Juvenile appearance

   How young birds differ from adults.

   Juveniles resemble adult females but have a duller overall plumage, a less intense red rump, and a brownish-orange beak. The blue crown and red throat patch are absent in young males, developing with maturity.

7. 7

   Seasonal changes

   Plumage variation between breeding and non-breeding seasons.

   No significant seasonal plumage changes. Plumage remains consistent year-round.

8. 8

   Sexual dimorphism

   How males and females differ.

   Pronounced. Males possess a distinct blue crown and a bright red throat patch, which are absent in females. Females have a duller green head and a less extensive red rump.

Key field marks

• Size and Shape. Look for a very small, stocky parrot with a short, pointed tail. Its small size is often the first clue.
• Plumage Color. Observe the overall bright green body. Pay close attention to the head and rump for diagnostic colors.
• Male Head Markings. For males, identify the distinct, vivid blue patch on the crown and the bright red patch on the throat. These are unmistakable.
• Rump Color. Both sexes have a red rump, but it is more extensive and brighter in males. This is often visible in flight.
• Behavior. Watch for its characteristic habit of hanging upside down from branches while feeding or roosting. This behavior is unique among parrots in its range.
• Vocalizations. Listen for its high-pitched, sharp 'tsit-tsit' calls, especially when it flies overhead or is foraging in dense foliage.

Explore the Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot