Solomon Islands Woodpecker Parrot

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Solomon Islands Woodpecker Parrot
Systematics
Order : Parrots (Psittaciformes)
Family : True parrots (Psittacidae)
Subfamily : Miniature Parrots (Micropsittinae)
Genre : Woodpecker Parrots ( Micropsitta )
Type : Solomon Islands Woodpecker Parrot
Scientific name
Micropsitta finschii
( EP Ramsay , 1881)
distribution

The Solomon Woodpecker Parrot ( Micropsitta finschii ) is a species of parrot from the genus of the woodpecker parrots ( Micropsitta ). It occurs in five subspecies.

features

Solomon Islands woodpecker parrots have an average total length of 9.5 centimeters and a weight of 12 grams. The plumage is green, the abdominal plumage is yellow-green in color. The tail feathers are between 3.1 and 2.9 inches long and dark blue to black in color, with the under tail covers being yellow. The wings are between 6.4 and 6.27 inches long, black and lined with green. As is typical for woodpecker parrots, their middle tail feathers are transformed into reinforced hook feathers that provide support when climbing upside down. The strong feet are gray and have strong long claws and the tarsus is about 9.6 millimeters long. The beak is 7.9 millimeters long and the iris is reddish brown. There is a sexual dimorphism , which in the nominate form Micropsitta finschii finschii is characterized in the male by an orange belly spot and pink wax skin. In addition, the feathers around the lower beak are lined with blue and the beak is dark brown with a light tip. Females have feathers lined with pink and red around the lower beak and keep a gray wax skin. The young animals differ from the adult animals in their gray wax skin and their light gray beak, but otherwise resemble the adults.

Subspecies

There are five known subspecies:

  • Micropsitta finschii finsichii is the nominate form.
  • Micropsitta finschii aolae (Ogilvie-Grant, 1888) is darker green in color and has a bruise on the top of the head, and the males do not have a red-orange belly spot. This subspecies is particularly common on the Solomon Islands Guadalcanal and Malaita , as well as on the Russel Islands.
  • Micropsitta finschii tristami (Rothschild & Hartert, 1902) lack the orange-red belly spot in the male. This subspecies occurs on the Solomon Islands Vella Lavella , Gizo , Kolambangara , New Georgia , Rubiana and Rendora . The subspecies epithet honors the British ornithologist Henry Baker Tristram .
  • Micropsitta finschii nanina ( Tristam , 1891) has a small bruise on the head. This subspecies occurs on the Solomon Islands Bougainville , Choiseul , Santa Isabel and Bugotu .
  • Micropsitta finschii viridifrons (Rothschild & Hartert, 1899) is on average somewhat larger, dark green in color and more blue on the head. The females have a light blue back of the head and light brown cheeks. Some males do not have an orange-red belly spot. This subspecies is common in the Lihir Islands , Lavongai and New Ireland .

behavior

Solomon Islands Woodpecker Parrots live in pairs or in small groups on trees where they catch insects. They breed in the burrows of tree-dwelling termites, this adaptation arose from the lack of suitable nesting holes and has spread within the species.

The singing is described as moderately loud, as a sequence of the same tones with two to three times repetition. The chants vary from soft tones to shrill squeaks. They can also rattle in a whisper.

The flight is straightforward, fast and with rapid wing beats.

distribution and habitat

Solomon Woodpecker Parrots occur on the eponymous Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea , as well as Bougainville and New Ireland.

Solomon woodpecker parrots can be found up to altitudes of 1000 meters above sea level, whereby they prefer to live at altitudes between 600 and 750 meters. They live in forests, preferably in those with epiphytes . Cultivated land, on the other hand, is less often inhabited.

Existence and endangerment

The total population is not recorded, but it is assumed that this species is not endangered.

Naming

The scientific naming of the Solomon Woodpecker Parrot was made after the German explorer and ornithologist Otto Finsch .

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ http://www.parrots.org/index.php/encyclopedia/profile/finschs_pygmy_parrot/
  2. ↑ BirdLife International: Species Factsheet - Finsch's Pygmy-parrot ( Micropsitta finschii ) . Retrieved November 19, 2011.
  3. ↑ Micropsitta finschii in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . Retrieved November 19, 2011.

literature

Web links