Maroon shining parrot: where and when to see them

The maroon shining parrot is a large, long-tailed parrot native to parts of Fiji. Rich maroon plumage contrasts with green wings and blue in the flight feathers and tail. Its island distribution is important: it should not be expected wherever visitors encounter forest in Fiji. Loud calls may reveal birds before their colors become visible, especially when they move between fruiting trees above a dense canopy.

Size

42–45 cm long

Weight

Not reliably established

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Birds occur in pairs or small groups, feeding in tree crowns and moving between patches of food. Their strong bills help them manipulate fruits and seeds, while climbing allows access to branch tips that may be awkward to reach in flight. They nest in tree cavities and depend on suitable mature trees. Calls carry through the forest, but a calling bird may remain concealed in foliage. Birds occur in pairs or small groups, feeding in tree crowns and moving between patches of food. Their strong bills help them manipulate fruits and seeds, while climbing allows access to branch tips that may be awkward to reach in flight. They nest in tree cavities and depend on suitable mature trees. Calls carry through the forest, but a calling bird may remain concealed in foliage. Their flight is strong and direct, often accompanied by loud calls. These parrots are quite arboreal, rarely descending to the ground.

• Its natural Fijian range includes Vanua Levu and Taveuni, rather than all major islands.
• The long tail gives flying birds a distinctive silhouette above forest.
• It uses tree cavities for nesting.
• Its feet have two toes pointing forward and two backward, aiding climbing and food handling.

May through October generally offers relatively drier conditions for forest excursions in Fiji. These parrots are resident within their island range, and local fruiting influences encounters. The national travel season should not be treated as a documented peak in breeding or abundance. May through October generally offers relatively drier conditions for forest excursions in Fiji. These parrots are resident within their island range, and local fruiting influences encounters. The national travel season should not be treated as a documented peak in breeding or abundance. While no specific breeding season is universally documented, nesting activity appears to occur year-round, influenced by local food availability. Good viewing is possible throughout the year, with local guides often aware of current feeding sites.

It occupies forest, wooded edges and some secondary or cultivated landscapes with substantial tree cover on islands within its range, including Vanua Levu and Taveuni. Coastal forest can be suitable, although many accessible observation areas lie inland or on wooded slopes. It occupies forest, wooded edges and some secondary or cultivated landscapes with substantial tree cover on islands within its range, including Vanua Levu and Taveuni. Coastal forest can be suitable, although many accessible observation areas lie inland or on wooded slopes. This species shows a preference for low to mid-elevation forests, often near human settlements. They are generally absent from open grasslands or extensively cleared agricultural areas without significant tree stands.

Fruits, seeds, buds and other plant foods form the diet. Birds may visit cultivated fruit trees as well as native forest trees. Availability changes through the year, so feeding groups can shift between localities rather than remaining around one predictable lookout. Fruits, seeds, buds and other plant foods form the diet. Birds may visit cultivated fruit trees as well as native forest trees. Availability changes through the year, so feeding groups can shift between localities rather than remaining around one predictable lookout. Their diet includes wild figs, mangoes, and various native palm fruits. They play a role in seed dispersal for many native plant species.

Common name

Maroon shining parrot

Scientific name

Prosopeia tabuensis

Animal group

Birds

Size

42–45 cm long

Weight

Not reliably established

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Identification

Its maroon head and underparts distinguish it from the green, black-faced masked shining parrot of Viti Levu and the brighter red Kadavu shining parrot. Its maroon head and underparts distinguish it from the green, black-faced masked shining parrot of Viti Levu and the brighter red Kadavu shining parrot. The tail is often tipped with orange or yellow, particularly noticeable in flight. It has a robust red bill, and its bright plumage is distinct from other parrot species in its range.