Horned Parakeet

Horned Parakeet
Eunymphicus cornutus

large green parakeet endemic to New Caledonia. It is called Horned because it has two black feathers that protrude from the head and have red tips. This parakeet has a yellowish nape with a black and red face and bluish wings and tail. It makes a nasal "kho-khoot" contact call and also makes a wide range of shrieks and chuckles.

The Horned Parakeet lives humid pine forests on New Caledonia, especially when Agathis and Araucaria pines are present. They live in pairs or small flocks and forage for seeds and nuts in the canopy. It nests both on the ground and in trees.
This bird has declined since the 1880s, but it is still found in a wide range on New Caledonia and recent population estimates believe that there are 1000-2500 birds left.

Its numbers and trends were poorly known, until 2003-2006 there were only two independent population estimates of 1,000-3,000 birds2 and 720 pairs respectively. Recent surveys indicate that the bird has a wider distribution and is more common than previously believed. A rough estimate produced from these recent surveys indicates that the population may be 8000 individuals, and although this is likely to be an overestimate the total population is still thought to be at least 5,000 mature individuals. During the 2003-2006 surveys the species was recorded from the Ignambi massif in the north to the various massifs of the Grand Sud in the south. It was recorded on 57 % of the massifs in the northern province and 42 % of the massifs in the southern province. It is absent from the Ile des Pins. It is locally common in the center part of the "chaîne" (Mé Maoya Massif, Moindou-Farino area, Poindimié-Ponérihouen area). Numbers have remained stable in Rivière Bleue in the last 20 years.

Ecology: It is patchily distributed in humid forest to 1,500 m, but it also ranges in the valleys and into savannahs, low-stature forest and scrub in maquis and high mountains. Pairs or small flocks (family flocks in April-June) feed in the canopy, largely on seeds and nuts. Nests have been found on the ground, including under rocks and in fallen tree-trunks and it has recently been recorded nesting in tree holes. It probably migrates seasonally to foraging grounds during the austral winter (June-September). Birds have been seen crossing scrub between forest blocks, and it is not believed to be fragmented into distinct subpopulations. Birds have been seen in large groups, feeding in savannah and the species is seen every year in the valleys, feeding in close proximity to rural dwellings and in open areas.

Threats Populations may be declining through habitat degradation, both through logging and by Rusa deer Cervus timorensis. It may be susceptible when nesting to predation by introduced mammals, especially rats, as there are fewer parakeets in areas with high black rat abundance. There is little documented trapping or trade, and although there are captive birds on the island and birds are locally sought by collectors for trade this seems to be marginal - there are no important local traditions in keeping pet birds.

Conservation measures underway CITES Appendix I and II, and fully protected by New Caledonian law. There are significant populations in Rivière Bleue and Reserve Speciale de Faune et de Flore de la Nodela.

Conservation measures proposed Survey other forest blocks within its extent of occurrence. Investigate the breeding biology to identify any limiting factors such as nest failures or rat predation. Research ecological dependence on certain tree species for nesting or feeding. Investigate dispersal between isolated forest blocks. Continue to monitor numbers in Rivière Bleue. Start a monitoring programme in Nodela. Monitor for any evidence of trapping and trade. Consider an Action Plan similar to that of E. uvaeensis. Initiate control measures against introduced predators. Increase the area of suitable habitat that has protected status.

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When all is done that is asked of me and I can fly no higher, I pray this day his hand extends to welcome home a flier.