Parrot finch varieties

[Perfex]

I'm confused with the identification differences of Peales (Erythrura Pealii) and the red headed (E.Cyaneovirens). I am familiar and realise that E. Psittacea (red throated) is often called red headed.
Even doing a goggle search on images of E. Cyaneovirens is very inconsistent. I saw listed in the NFSS annual tally showing all three of these species as represented and bred. What is the difference?

[DanteD716]

Not sure the question but peales (also know as the Fiji parrotfinch) are two different species. They are native to the Fiji islands.

The Red-Throated parrotfinch is native to New Caledonia. One major difference between the two is the blue throat of the Peales.

The red headed and red throat are also two different species.. The red on a E Psittace (RT) extends to the throat, while on the E Cyaneoviens (RH), it does not and is on the head that is red.

The Red-Headed parrot finch is native to the Somoan Islands. Even though it does seem siliar to the Red headed, and Fiji parrotfinch, it is not the same species. The red headed may be rarer of the three.

Also, to the tell the difference between the Peales and Red-Headed, the red-headed has alot more blue on its breast.


E. Psittace = Red Throated
Erythrura Pealei = Fiji (Peales)
E Cyaneovirens = Red HEADED

Fiji/Peales: http://www.avianweb.com/images/birds/Fi ... tfinch.jpg
Red Throated: http://www.bestofbreeds.net/australianf ... ded002.jpg


Now this is where I get confused:

The Red headed and Fiji are more similiar than Red throated... Fiji and Red headed both sport blue front, with the red headed show more blue. So I am thinking the royal parrotfinch may bring more confusion into this but maybe the royal and red headed are the same?

[DanteD716]

nevermind the bottom of the last post: the royal and red headed are not the same.

E. Psittacea = Red Throated
Erythrura Pealii = Fiji (Peales)
E Cyaneovirens = Red HEADED
Erythrura Regia = Royal Parrotfinch

[Perfex]

Hi psilocybin6
i agree, the scientific name is of most importance but its really hard to find accurate trustworthy pics representing the red head Cyaneovirens. Even that parrot finch site has no actual photos of E.C (only Pealii photos ) and just a general description with an artists version of cyaneovirens. They look very similar.

The red headed and peales are VERY similar so how do you tell them apart? That is where I find info sketchy. (The red throated is quite distinctive as its own species and is easily identifiable.).
At the NFSS site there were as many E cyaneovirens as E Psittacea listed so i would think they can't be that hard to find accurately labeled photos of.

[DanteD716]

Hi psilocybin6
i agree, the scientific name is of most importance but its really hard to find accurate trustworthy pics representing the red head Cyaneovirens. Even that parrot finch site has no actual photos of E.C (only Pealii photos ) and just a general description with an artists version of cyaneovirens. They look very similar.

The red headed and peales are VERY similar so how do you tell them apart? That is where I find info sketchy. (The red throated is quite distinctive as its own species and is easily identifiable.).
At the NFSS site there were as many E cyaneovirens as E Psittacea listed so i would think they can't be that hard to find accurately labeled photos of.

I believe that the red headed may be a subspecies of the peales. But from my research red headed have more blue on their breast than the peales

[Perfex]

Thanks Dante!! I'll go study more photos and compare.

[Perfex]

"You would think that but unfortunately when it comes to ssp NFSS is not always a reliable source, any breeder can put an entry... Does not necessarily mean much besides helping in keeping count of the number of available/bred heads of a 'genus'... Fires are probably by far the worst under NFSS counts. And this matter is not only with NFSS."

Ok, makes sense. So in actuality the majority of cyaneoviren entries in the NFSS data are likely owners ticking the box so to speak of the red headed PF (of which most owners of red throated inadvertiantly call them) even though the scientific name is listed.

[DanteD716]

Not a problem, I am thinking any birds listed as Red headed may be peales, because the red headed are not popular let alone in the US. Can barely find a picture of one!