The blue-rumped parrot is a parrot found in the very southern tip of Myanmar, peninsular Thailand, Malaysia, Borneo, Sumatra and nearby islands. It is a small parrot (18 cm) and is primarily green with bright red underwing coverts, a reddish shoulder patch, and yellowish margins on the wing coverts. It is sexually dimorphic. The female has a grey-brown head. The male has a black mantle, red upper mandible, and blue head and rump.
Region
Southeast Asia
Typical Environment
Occurs from the far south of Myanmar and peninsular Thailand through Peninsular Malaysia to Singapore, Sumatra, Borneo, and nearby islands. It primarily inhabits lowland evergreen rainforest, riverine and peat-swamp forest, and forest edge. The species also uses secondary growth, fruit plantations, and gardens where tall fruiting trees remain. It often forages high in the canopy but will descend to mid-levels at forest edges.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 800 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
This small Southeast Asian parrot is strongly sexually dimorphic: males show a blue head and rump with a black mantle and red upper mandible, while females have a grey-brown head. It favors lowland forests and edges and often visits fruiting figs and orchards. Habitat loss in Sundaland has caused local declines, and it can be shy and easily overlooked despite its bright underwing colors.
Temperament
social but wary
Flight Pattern
strong, direct flight with rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family groups, occasionally joining mixed-species foraging flocks at fruiting trees. It nests in tree cavities and is presumed monogamous. Outside the breeding season it may roost communally in sheltered forest edges.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Calls are sharp, high-pitched whistles and squeaky notes, often given in flight. Contact calls include thin, ringing 'tsee' or 'pseet' phrases, repeated in short bursts.
