Least Concern Birds

Brown-headed Parrot

Poicephalus cryptoxanthus

Brown-headed Parrot eats seeds and fruits in African savannas and farmland edges.

Scientific name	Poicephalus cryptoxanthus
Conservation status	Least Concern
Class	Aves
Order	Psittaciformes
Family	Psittacidae
Size	Male: approximately 190-230 g; Female: approximately 190-230 g (no significant sexual dimorphism in weight)

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How to identify

Brown head, green body; wings with yellow patches; conspicuous bare skin around the eyes; medium-small body size; short and strong beak

Habitat

Sparse woodland savanna, open woodlands, shrublands, and edges of agricultural fields

Diet

Omnivorous, primarily feeding on seeds, fruits, berries, and flowers; occasionally insects

When it is active

Diurnal

Where it lives

East African region, including Tanzania, southern Kenya, and parts of Mozambique; present in the Maasai Mara area

How to spot it

Active frequently at dawn and dusk; carefully observe tree canopies and fruit-rich areas; use binoculars to locate flying or foraging individuals

Photography tips

Use a telephoto lens to capture flight and feeding behavior; photograph in soft morning or evening light; choose a simple background to highlight the bird’s coloration

Threats

Habitat loss and fragmentation, illegal capture for the pet trade

Similar species

Yellow-headed Parrot (Poicephalus flavifrons), distinguished by head color and yellow patch distribution; Grey-headed Parrot (Poicephalus fuscicollis) has a grey head

📖 how to spot the brown headed parrot on safari