This African parrot is described with two subspecies. Their head and rump colors, ranges and woodland habitats differ.
Adults of the nominate subspecies have grey to pale brown-pink heads and necks, dark green backs and wings, and green rumps and underparts. Females have an orange-red crown band that males lack. P. f. suahelicus has a silver-grey head and green-blue rump and underparts.
It is arboreal and eats a wide range of wild fruits, nuts and seeds. It nests in tree cavities and is partly nomadic.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.