Amboina King Parrots can only be described as serene, sophisticated and strikingly beautiful due to the well-defined, bright coloration of their plumage.
King Parrot Information Page … King Parrot Photo Gallery
The Amboina or Amboyna King (Alisterus amboinensis) is also known as Moluccan King Parrot, Ambon King Parrot or Amboina Green-Winged King Parrot. This beautiful king parrot is endemic to the islands of Moluccas and New Guinea. Found primarily in humid forests, the Amboina King Parrot is most comfortable where the climate is quite warm and damp.
Predation and loss of habitat have lowered the population of the Amboina King Parrot drastically, and they are now “near-threatened” in conservation status.
Description:
These parrots can only be described as serene, sophisticated and strikingly beautiful due to their well-defined, bright coloration of their plumage.
At 14.8 inches (37 centimeters), the Amboina King Parrot is considered one of mid-size to larger parrot breeds. They primary plumage is red, with bright green wings, bright blue backs, rumps, tail coverts and wing coverts. The top of the tail is usually black with vivid blue highlights. Their underside is dark gray or black with pink markings on the margins and their feet are gray.
Males and females look alike and DNA testing is necessary to determine the sex of your bird.
They are physically and sexually mature at twelve months of age. The average clutch consists of 3 eggs which are incubated for about 21 days.
Personality:
Amboinas are not only incredibly beautiful, but also quiet (other than the occasional shrill sentinel call) and gentle in nature. They are quite different from other parrot species that tend to be noisier, more destructive and more aggressive than they tend to be.
They are not known to be cuddly birds, but these gentle creatures do become very confiding and have a knack for entertaining themselves. Because they are so quiet and colorful they are very much in demand as aviary birds.
Amboinas are social birds and do require daily interaction with their flock — be it with other birds in an aviary setting or with their human family. In an aviary setting, they do well even when kept with smaller birds.
It is important to remember that these parrots require space to accommodate their activities and their long tails. The width is considered more important in the long-tailed species rather than height in a cage — but remember, the biggest cage possible is always the best choice. However, they are best kept in a planted aviary that allows them plenty of room to fly from perch to perch.
Training and Behavioral Guidance:
Amboina King Parrots are quieter and less destructive than other parrot species. The challenges that you might experience with them maybe poor socialization – in which case patience and time in taming and gaining the trust of the parrot is necessary.
Even a young bird that has not been neglected and abused requires proper guidance; this becomes even more challenging when it involves a rescued bird that may require rehabilitation. If they feel cornered, some biting may occur.
They have some mimicking ability and most of them learn to talk, and their voices are soft and sweet to listen to – similar to the voice of an eclectus parrot.
Training and behavioral guidance will help your pet be the kind of companion you want it to be …
- AvianWeb Resources: I put together web resources for you to help you understand your pet bird and properly direct him. Please visit the following website to learn more about parrot behavior and training. If you found a way to resolve a “parrot behavioral issue” please share it with others.
If you are considering a king parrot as a pet, the following web resources might be of interest:
- Procuring your Parrot
- Breeders:
- Optimal nutrition to keep your bird healthy
- Housing your bird
- The 3 Key Elements to Your Pet Bird’s Happiness and Health
Caring for your companion bird
Taxonomy:
Species: Scientific: Alisterus amboinensis amboinensis … English: Amboina King Parrot, Amboina Red Parrot … Dutch: Molukse Koningsparkiet, Ambon Koningsparkiet … German: Amboina Königssittich … French: Perruche d’Amboine, Royale d’Amboine … CITES II – Endangered Species
Sub-Species / Races Including Nominate: amboinensis, sulaensis, versicolor, buruensis, hypophonius, dorsalis
Sub-species:
Buru Island King Parrots: Please scroll up for further information.
Distribution: Buru in Southern Moluccas, Indonesia (please refer to distribution map)
Species: Scientific: Alisterus amboinensis buruensis … English: Buru Island King Parrot … Dutch: Buru Koningsparkiet … German: Buru Königssittich … French: Perruche de Buru, Royale de Buru … CITES II – Endangered Species
Halmahera King Parrots: Please scroll up for further information.
Distribution: Halmahera Island (the largest island in the Maluku Islands, Indonesia) (please refer to distribution map)
Species: Scientific: Alisterus amboinensis hypophonius … English: Halmahera King Parrot … Dutch: Halmahera Koningsparkiet … German: Halmahera Königssittich, Blauflügel Königssittich … French: Perruche de Halmahera, Royale à ailes bleues … CITES II – Endangered Species
Peleng Island King Parrots: Please scroll up for further information.
Distribution: Peleng Island, Indonesia
Species: Scientific: Alisterus amboinensis versicolor … English: Peleng Island King Parrot … Dutch: Peleng Koningsparkiet … German: Peleng Königssittich … French: Perruche de Peleng, Royale de Peleng e … CITES II – Endangered Species
Salawati King Parrots: Please scroll up for further information.
Distribution: Western Papuan Island of Misool (Maluku province), Western New Guinea
Species: Scientific: Alisterus amboinensis dorsalis … English: Salawati King Parrot … Dutch: Salawati Koningsparkiet … German: Salawati Königssittich … French: Perruche de Papoea, Royale de Salawati … CITES II – Endangered Species
Sula Island King Parrots: Please scroll up for further information.
Distribution: Sula Islands – a group of islands in the Malukus in Indonesia. Its three main islands are Mangole, Sanae and Taliabu. (Please refer to distribution map)
Species: Scientific: Alisterus amboinensis sulaensis … English: Sula Island King Parrot … Dutch: Sula Koningsparkiet … German: Sula Königssittich … French: Perruche de Sula, Royale de Sula … CITES II – Endangered Species
Species Research by Sibylle Johnson
Photo, Video and/or Article contributions are welcome! Upload articles and images.
Please Note: The images on this page are the sole property of the photographers (unless marked as Public Domain). Please contact the photographers directly with respect to any copyright or licensing questions. Thank you.
The Avianweb strives to maintain accurate and up-to-date information; however, mistakes do happen. If you would like to correct or update any of the information, please send us an e-mail. THANK YOU!
