and leaves the bird finds in its habitat. The females have a gestation period of 20 days where she will incubate her eggs inside the nest. A single clutch can have up to 4 eggs and the chicks leave the nest about 33 days after hatching. Food and feeding Hanging parrots eat mainly fruits, such as papaya and rambutan, in the wild but will also feed on palm oil nuts, seeds, nectar, and fresh flowers. The blue-crowned hanging parrot employs different feeding methods. Young birds usually use their mandibles to nibble and break off pieces of food when perching and will flick their heads rapidly to remove the pulp after extracting its juice. Adults use their feet or bills to carry food and will feed when perching. Feeding usually occurs away from the food source after being carried to a perch. The bird can bring the food held up by the foot to its beak to feed and they can also hold up their foot and lower their head to feed. Other methods involve holding the food between its claws on the perch and lowering the head completely to feed. Relationship to humans This species is commonly called Serindit Melayu in the Riau province and are typically kept as pets. The blue-crowned hanging parrot are important to the flora and Riau identity. Its name is used in "Hulu Keris," an important symbol of the province as part of the traditional clothing of Riau symbolizing courage, wisdom when upholding truth and justice. In Riau folklore stories of the faunal world, the hanging parrot is referred to as Panglima Hijau. In Malay literature, the blue-crowned hanging parrot symbolically represents love and is considered a love-bird. It is also commonly referred to in rhymes and poetry and is used in ritual activities. References External links World Parrot Trust Parrot Encyclopedia - Species Profile BirdLife Species Factsheet Oriental Bird Images: Blue-crowned Hanging Parrot Selected photos blue-crowned hanging parrot Birds of Malesia blue-crowned hanging parrot blue-crowned hanging parrot