Royal Parrotfinch
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Order: Passeriformes
Family: Estrildidae
Synonyms: Erythrura cyaneovirens regia

[Photo] Royal Parrotfinch (Erythrura regia). Source: Bird stamps from New Hebrides, 1977. URL: www.birdtheme.org/country/newhebri.html

The Royal Parrotfinch Erythrura regia is a species of estrildid finch endemic to Vanuatu. It is found commonly at mid-altitudes on the larger islands such as Espiritu Santo, above 300 m. But it also can be found at sea-level small islands in fruiting figs in forest edge in Emae and Tongoa. This species is usually found in singles, pairs or small groups feeding on figs in the forest canopy.

Classification
The Royal Parrotfinch is sometimes considered to be a subspecies of Red-headed Parrotfinch (Erythrura cyaneovirens).

Identification
The Royal Parrotfinch is approximately 11 cm long. This species is a multicoloured finch. Male Royal Parrotfinches have a bright red head and tail, blue breast and turquoise-green upperparts, while females are greener in colour. Young Royal Parrotfinches are duller with dull blue head. This species has high, thin voice and trilling song.

Threats
This species is threatened by the commercial logging which removed its natural habitat. There are also reports of small-scale cage-bird trade of Royal Parrotfinch.

Conservation measures
It was suggested to implement captive conservation breeding programme on Lake Letas Reserve, Gaua. It was also proposed to investigate any cage-bird trade, especially on Tongoa and Emae. Reduce commercial logging to conserve forest reserves, supporting natural habitat of Lake Letas Reserve.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Parrotfinch

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