Birds of Singapore
by the Bird Society of Singapore
Trichoglossus haematodus
Family: Old World Parrots · Status: Uncommon introduced resident · Size: 25–30 cm · Conservation: Least Concern
Resident throughout the eastern Indonesian islands in the Moluccas, New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia. Introduced to Singapore.
Sexually monomorphic. Bill orange-red, head dark blue, nape yellow-green, upperparts and tail green. Underparts generally green with undertail coverts yellow and underwings bright red. Breast red with blue barring. Immatures are duller with a brownish-black bill. Distinguished from the parakeets in Singapore by the strongly contrasting blue head, red breast with blue barring, and red underwings.
Open woodland such as parks; generally avoids closed forest but recorded on outskirts of nature reserves.
Specialised nectar feeder; encountered in small groups feeding in the canopy or flying overhead.