Vocalisations of the Brown-headed Parrot, Poicephalus cryptoxanthus: their general form and behavioural context

Abstract

The Brown-headed Parrot, Poicephalus cryptoxanthus, is a poorly-known species inhabiting eastern South Africa. This study details the vocalizations of the species and places these in their behavioural context. Seven distinct calls were identified. The magnitude of the vocabulary corresponds well with those that have been studied. A number of other calls are reported, some of which seem to be variants depending on the motivational state of the caller, whilst others seem to be ‘experimental'. The last category has been referred to as ‘conversational chattering' and may be non-utilitarian as they are uttered by single, isolated birds and are barely audible.
Ostrich 2005, 76(1&2): 61–72