PNG Air Volume 41

“The first thing we notice are the many

from Kavieng, the first thing we notice is the many birds, as they constantly fly overhead or settle in the trees and call to each other. The most obvious of these are the parrots, including some very noisy red-flanked lorikeets. We never manage to photograph perched in the tops of trees, but we can see the flashes of colour as they jump from branch to branch – and can’t miss their loud screeches. Also in the trees are small groups of eclectus parrots. These lovely birds are distinct from other parrots in that the males and females have completely different colouration – the males are cloaked in emerald green while the females flaunt brilliant shades of red, purple and blue. these vivid birds, as they are always They are so different from each other that they were first thought to be different species. Their colourful feathers are also highly prized by some tribes in PNG for cultural bilas birds, as they constantly fly overhead or settle in the trees and call to each other”

Kermit, the pet eclectus parrot at Lissenung Island Resort

(decoration). Spotting eclectus

fly between trees, which is the best time to observe – and photograph – them. As scuba divers, we have been drawn to Lissenung for the

world-class coral reefs and World War II plane wrecks, all teeming with marine life, right on its doorstep. But from the moment we arrive we are also captivated

parrots in the trees is never easy, as like the lorikeets they prefer to stay in the treetops. However, they often

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