Royal parrotfinch
Species of bird
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The royal parrotfinch (Erythrura regia) is a species of estrildid finch endemic to Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean. It is found commonly at mid-altitudes on the larger islands such as Espiritu Santo, above 300 m., but it also can be found at small sea-level islands in fruiting figs in forest edge in Emae and Tongoa. This species is usually found in singles, pairs or small groups feeding on figs in the forest canopy.
| Royal parrotfinch | |
|---|---|
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| Illustration (below) with Erythrura cyaneovirens | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Passeriformes |
| Family: | Estrildidae |
| Genus: | Erythrura |
| Species: | E. regia |
| Binomial name | |
| Erythrura regia (Sclater, PL, 1881) | |
Taxonomy
Taxonomists disagree on whether the royal parrotfinch is a standalone species or a subspecies of red-headed parrotfinch (Erythrura cyaneovirens). As of 2026, the HBW/IUCN,[1] Clements,[2] and AviList[3] taxonomies consider it a subspecies, E. c. regia. IOC taxonomy retains it as a separate species.[4]
Identification
The royal parrotfinch is approximately 11 cm long. This species is a multicoloured finch. Male royal parrotfinches have a bright red head and tail, blue breast and turquoise-green upperparts, while females are greener in colour. Young royal parrotfinches are duller with a dull blue head. This species has a high, thin voice and trilling song.
Threats
This species is threatened by commercial logging which has removed its natural habitat. There are also reports of small-scale cage-bird trade of royal parrotfinches.
Conservation measures
It was suggested to implement a captive conservation breeding programme on Lake Letas Reserve, Gaua. It was also proposed to investigate any cage-bird trade, especially on Tongoa and Emae. The suggestion was to reduce commercial logging to conserve forest reserves, supporting the natural habitat of Lake Letas Reserve.
