African Parrots

Psittacini
Jardine's Parrot, (Poicephalus gulielmi)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Psittaciformes
Family:	Psittacidae
Subfamily:	Psittacinae
Tribe:	Psittacini
Genera
Psittacus Poicephalus

The African parrots of the Tribus Psittacini (which is also the sole remaining tribe of the subfamily Psittacinae) consists of Afrotropical parrots; there are 8 species in 2 genera. Traditionally, the Vasa parrots are also included in this tribe, but that inclusion is not supported by molecular studies. Several of these species have subspecies including the African Grey Parrot which has 2 subspecies. Some are commonly referred to as "Old World Parrots". Recent DNA testing has shown a close relationships within the South American parrot species, the Arinae.

Taxomony

Genus Psittacus

• Psittacus erithacus, African Grey Parrot
  • Psittacus erithacus erithacus, Congo African Grey Parrot (subspecies)
  • Psittacus erithacus timneh, Timneh African Grey Parrot (subspecies)

Genus Poicephalus

• Poicephalus robustus, Cape Parrot
  • Poicephalus robustus robustus (nominate subspecies)
  • Poicephalus robustus fuscicollis, Brown-necked Parrot (subspecies)
  • Poicephalus robustus suahelicus, Gray-headed Parrot (subspecies)
• Poicephalus gulielmi, Jardine's Parrot also known as the Red-fronted Parrot
• Poicephalus meyeri, Meyer's Parrot
• Poicephalus rueppellii, Rüppell's Parrot
• Poicephalus cryptoxanthus, Brown-headed Parrot
• Poicephalus rufiventris, Red-bellied Parrot
• Poicephalus senegalus, Senegal Parrot
• Poicephalus flavifrons, Yellow-fronted Parrot
• Poicephalus crassus, Niam-niam Parrot

Traditionally, the vasa parrots are included in this tribe, but recent molecular studies show that they should be considered a separate tribe.

External links

• Taxonomy of Poicephalus parrots
• An overview of African parrots on wingscentral.org