About the Cape Parrot
The Cape parrot or Levaillant's parrot is a large, temperate forest dwelling parrot of the genus Poicephalus endemic to South Africa. It was formerly grouped as a subspecies along with the savanna-dwelling brown-necked parrot and grey-headed parrot, but is now considered a distinct species.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The Cape parrot is a short-tailed moderately large bird with a very large beak used to crack all sorts of hard nuts and fruit kernels, especially those of African yellowwood trees (Podocarpus spp.). This contrasts with the closely related savanna species (Poicephalus fuscicollis) which feeds on a wide variety of tropical woodland trees such as marula, Commiphora spp. and Terminalia spp. These species are sexually dimorphic, with females typically sporting an orange frontal patch on the forehead.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
When to see it
Peak activity in December · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Red-bellied ParrotPoicephalus rufiventrisThe red-bellied parrot is a small parrot about 23 cm (9 in) long and weights 140 g (5 oz).
Red-fronted ParrotPoicephalus gulielmiThe red-fronted parrot is 28 cm (11 in) long.
Rüppell's ParrotPoicephalus rueppelliiRüppell's parrot is 22–25 cm (8.7–9.8 in) long and weighs 121–156 g (4.3–5.5 oz).
Learn the Cape Parrot for real
BeakBrain drills you on photos and calls until you can greet this bird by name in the field. Free to play, on any device.
Play BeakBrainEvery photo and recording on this page is credited to its author under the licence shown. Spotted a problem with this page, or have a better photo? Contribute.