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DESCRIPTION 8 inches (20cm). Colour metallic blue-green, head black, wings green with plush black spots, reddish underparts with white border, white on undertail coverts, axilliaries and underwing. Grey legs and bill, eyes yellowish. Immatures dull black on head, neck and upper-parts.
NATURAL DISTRIBUTION Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan, East Africa.
HABITAT Thornbush and acacia country, near habitations.
DIET Fruits, live foods.
SPECIAL NEEDS Since breeds readily in aviary, remove young of first brood when second is started.
CAGE LIFE Chattering call, loud alarm, whistling song, imitates other birds. In courting jumps with wings behind and neck extended. Breeding season varies. Nest of twigs, grass, feathers, low in tree or bush. In captivity roomy parakeet nest boxes or old thrush nests. Lays 3 to 4 blue-green eggs with bright reddish-brown or blue spots, incubation 14 to 15 days, fledging 25 days.
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