Edwards fig parrot

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Edwards fig parrot
Psittaculirostris edwardsii.jpg

Edwards fig parrot ( Psittaculirostris edwardsii )

Systematics
Order : Parrots (Psittaciformes)
Family : True parrots (Psittacidae)
Tribe : Cylopsittacini
Genre : Fig Parrots ( Psittaculirostris )
Type : Edwards fig parrot
Scientific name
Psittaculirostris edwardsii
( Oustalet , 1885)

The Edwards fig parrot ( Psittaculirostris edwardsii ), also known as the Edwards dwarf parrot , is a small species of parrot belonging to the fig parrot genus . The type epithet honors Alphonse Milne-Edwards .

features

The Edwards fig parrot reaches a size of 18 centimeters. The plumage is predominantly green. In the males, the skull, forehead and reins are yellow-green. The back of the head is olive brown. A black stripe extends between the neck and the eyes. The ear covers are yellow. There is a greenish-blue spot under the eyes. The chest, throat, and cheeks are scarlet. A narrow violet-light blue band runs across the middle of the chest. The inner wing covers have orange-red tips. The under wing-coverts are blue-green. A yellow band runs on the underside of the hand and arm wings. A gray eye ring runs around the red iris. The feet are light gray, the beak is black. The females show a violet-light blue chest band. In immature birds, the yellow cheeks are interspersed with reddish, the ear covers are greenish yellow and the iris is dark. The loud contact call is shrill and metallic.

distribution and habitat

The Edwards fig parrot lives in forests, forest edges and partially cleared land at low altitudes and in mountains, occasionally in gardens. Its distribution extends from the Humboldt Bay in Papua Barat east to the Huongolf in Papua New Guinea .

Way of life

The Edwards fig parrot usually lives in pairs or in small groups outside of the breeding season. Occasionally one can observe flocks of up to 35 individuals in the fruit-bearing trees, sometimes in association with other bird species that prefer figs. It mostly hangs in the canopy and is quick and lively. Its diet consists of fruits (especially figs), nectar, flowers and probably insects and their larvae. When eating, you can often see it upside down. The breeding season is believed to be in October, as matings have been observed during this time. The nests are built in tree hollows at a height of 20 meters.

Existence and endangerment

The Edwards fig parrot is classified by the IUCN in the category not endangered (least concern). It is considered to be locally frequent. This species is listed in Appendix II of the Washington Convention on Endangered Species .

literature

  • J. Del Hoyo, A. Elliot, J. Sargatal (Eds.) (1997): Handbook of the Birds of the World. Volume 4: Sandgrouse to Cuckoos . Lynx Edicions, ISBN 84-87334-22-9

Web links