Finsch's Pygmy Parrot

Finsch's Pygmy Parrot
Finsch's Pygmy Parrot
Conservation status
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Micropsitta
Species: M. finschii
Binomial name
Micropsitta finschii
(Ramsay, 1881)
Range in red
Synonyms

emerald pygmy parrot, green pygmy parrot

The Finsch’s pygmy parrot (Micropsitta finschii), also known as the emerald or green pygmy parrot, is a member of family Psittacidae (true parrots) inhabiting tropical rainforest regions of islands in Papau New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and the Bismarck Archipelago.

Contents

Description

Finsch’s pygmy parrot (Micropsitta finschii), also known as the green or emerald pygmy parrot, is characterized by a green head and neck (which is unique among species of the genus Micropsitta). The typical length of a green pygmy parrot is 9.5 cm with an average weight of 12 g.[1] Male and female individuals can be identified by slight differences in coloration.[2] For example, in one subspecies, males possess a blue patch around the lower section of the beak, whereas the female’s patch is pink. There are five recognized subspecies, each inhabiting a different range within the overall distribution of the species and each having different characteristics between genders.[3]

Taxonomy

Finsch’s pygmy parrot is a member of the genus Micropsitta (pygmy parrots). Genus Micropsitta is included in the subfamily Psittacinae (true parrots and allies) of the family Psittacidae (true parrots). The species, Micropsitta finschii, is further divided into five subspecies[4][5][6][7]: Micropsitta f. finschii is found in Ugi, San Cristobal, and Rennell (southern Solomon Islands). Males have blue around the lower mandible (beak) and an orange patch in the center of the abdomen. Females lack the orange patch, and have pink feathers around the lower mandible. Micropsitta f. nanina is found in Santa Isabel, Bugotu, and Choiseul (northern Solomon Islands), as well as in Bougainville Island. Adults have a blue patch on the crown. Micropsitta f. viridifrons is found in Lihir and Tabar, New Hanover, New Ireland, and in the Bismarck Archipelago (in eastern Papua New Guinea). Adults have a large blue patch on the crown, as well as blue around the sides of the face. Micropsitta f. tristami is found in Vella Lavella, Gizo, Kolombangara, New Georgia, Rubiana, and Rendova (in the western Solomon Islands). Adults have no blue patches or orange abdominal patches. Micropsitta f. aolae is found in Guadalcanal, Malaita, Florida (island, not state), and Russell (central Solomon Islands). Adults have a darker green upper body and have a blue patch on the crown.

Habitat and distribution

The geographic range of the Finsch’s pygmy parrot includes Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and the Bismarck Archipelago. Specific ranges of each subspecies are as follows: M.f. finschii is found in the southern Solomon Islands, M.f. aolae is found in the central Solomon Islands, M.f. tristami in the western Solomon Islands, M.f. nanina in the northern Solomon Islands and eastern Papua New Guinea, and M.f viridifrons in eastern Papua New Guinea and the Bismarck Archipelago. There is little overlap between subspecies.[8] The parrots are found in tropical rainforests (up to an elevation of 900m).[9] The birds are most often observed in the forest interior and in river edge vegetation. They are arboreal and have been observed nesting in old arboreal ant/termite mounds. The birds construct a tunnel into the mound, which is used also as a roost. The birds are described as being abundant in their habitats.

Behaviour

Diet

The birds find food by climbing tree bark vertically or by climbing along the bottom of branches while hanging upside-down.[10] While foraging and feeding, the tail feathers are used as a prop against the tree surface.[11] The parrot feeds on fungi and lichens found on the tree bark, as well as the seeds of the Casuarina tree in which it is commonly found.[12] Some birds will apparently associate with slow-moving mixed bird flocks.

Vocalizations

The song of the Finsch’s pygmy parrot is a series of repeated whistles. Each whistle consists of a “tweet-tweet” sound, where the second “tweet” is prolonged and is higher in pitch.[13] Other sounds produced include shrill squawking and chattering.[14]

Reproduction

Finsch’s pygmy parrots are often found in pairs or small groups (3-6 individuals).[15] The groups often include socially monogamous (for up to a year) mating pairs.[16] The breeding season is from March to May and a typical clutch produced will have 1 or 2 eggs. Both parents provide care for the offspring (offspring are altricial) and parent-offspring interactions are often prolonged.[17] Information on specific incubation times and chick-rearing times is unavailable as captive individuals have a low survival rate.

References

  1. ^ Forshaw, Joseph M. (2006). Parrots of the World. Princeton University Press. pp. 25. ISBN 0691092516
  2. ^ Forshaw, Joseph M. (2006). Parrots of the World. Princeton University Press. pp. 25. ISBN 0691092516
  3. ^ Forshaw, Joseph M. (2006). Parrots of the World. Princeton University Press. pp. 25. ISBN 0691092516
  4. ^ Forshaw, Joseph M. (2006). Parrots of the World. Princeton University Press. pp. 25. ISBN 0691092516
  5. ^ Diamond, Jared (1976). Distributional Ecology and Habits of Some Bougainville Birds (Solomon Islands). The Condor, v.77, No. 1, p. 14-23
  6. ^ Kratter et al. (2001). Avifauna of a Lowland Forest Site on Isabel, Solomon Islands. The Auk, v. 118, no. 2, p. 472-483
  7. ^ BirdLife International 2009. Micropsitta finschii. In: IUCN 2011. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2011.1. <www.iucnredlist.org>. Downloaded on 14 October 2011.
  8. ^ Forshaw, Joseph M. (2006). Parrots of the World. Princeton University Press. pp. 25. ISBN 0691092516
  9. ^ Forshaw, Joseph M. (2006). Parrots of the World. Princeton University Press. pp. 25. ISBN 0691092516
  10. ^ Forshaw, Joseph M. (2006). Parrots of the World. Princeton University Press. pp. 25. ISBN 0691092516
  11. ^ Forshaw, Joseph M. (2006). Parrots of the World. Princeton University Press. pp. 25. ISBN 0691092516
  12. ^ del Hoyo, Elliott and Sargatal. 1992. Handbook to the birds of the world. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain
  13. ^ Forshaw, Joseph M. (2006). Parrots of the World. Princeton University Press. pp. 25. ISBN 0691092516
  14. ^ Forshaw, Joseph M. (2006). Parrots of the World. Princeton University Press. pp. 25. ISBN 0691092516
  15. ^ Spoon, Tracey R. (2006). Parrot Reproductive Behaviour, or Who Associates, Who Mates, and Who Cares?. In Luescher, Andrew U.'s (ed.) Manual of Parrot Behaviour. (p. 63-77) Ames, Iowa: Blackwell Publishing ISBN 0813827493
  16. ^ Spoon, Tracey R. (2006). Parrot Reproductive Behaviour, or Who Associates, Who Mates, and Who Cares?. In Luescher, Andrew U.'s (ed.) Manual of Parrot Behaviour. (p. 63-77) Ames, Iowa: Blackwell Publishing ISBN 0813827493
  17. ^ Spoon, Tracey R. (2006). Parrot Reproductive Behaviour, or Who Associates, Who Mates, and Who Cares?. In Luescher, Andrew U.'s (ed.) Manual of Parrot Behaviour. (p. 63-77) Ames, Iowa: Blackwell Publishing ISBN 0813827493

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