Newton's parakeet (SciiFii)

The Newton's parakeet (Psittacula exsul), also known as the Rodrigues parakeet or Rodrigues ring-necked parakeet, is a species of parrot that is endemic to the Mascarene island of Rodrigues in the western Indian Ocean. It was once extinct since the late 19th century, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced to Rodrigues to help boost biodiversity. Around 40 centimetres (16 in) long, Newton's parakeet is roughly the size of a rose-ringed parakeet. Its plumage is mostly greyish or slate blue in colour, which is unusual in Psittacula, a genus containing mostly green species. The male has stronger colours than the female and possesses a reddish instead of black beak, and the male also possesses red patches on the wing like the related Alexandrine parakeet. Both sexes have a black collar running from the chin to the nape, but this is clearer in the male. The legs are grey and the iris yellow. It primarily feeds on the nuts of the bois d'olive tree, along with leaves. It is very tame, even as a wild individual, and is able to mimic speech. The conservation status of the Newton's parakeet is Vulnerable due to some habitat loss and, historically, poaching and invasive species, however, thanks to conservationists, the invasive predators and non-native egg-eaters have been eradicated, so the natives like the Newton's parakeet are making a comeback.
Category:Animals
Category:Species
Category:SciiFii