Orange-headed Parrot

Taxobox
name = Orange-headed Parrot


status = NT | status_system = IUCN3.1
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Psittaciformes
familia = Psittacidae
genus = "Pyrilia"
species = "P. aurantiocephala"
binomial = "Pyrilia aurantiocephala"
binomial_authority = (Gaban-Lima, Raposo & Hofling, 2002)
synonyms = "Pionopsitta aurantiocephala" Gaban-Lima, Raposo & Hofling, 2002
"Gypopsitta aurantiocephala"

The Orange-headed Parrot ("Pyrilia aurantiocephala") or Bald Parrot is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It was formerly placed in the genus "Pionopsitta", which is now monotypic. It is endemic to the east-central Amazon of Brazil. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests. It is considered near threatened by BirdLife International (and consequently IUCN) due to the widespread deforestation of the Amazon.

This parrot was initially believed to be a juvenile of the Vulturine Parrot due to the orange coloration of its bald head as opposed to the black of the Vulturine. However, when it was discovered that the individuals were sexually mature, they were described as a new species. cite book| last = Ellis| first = Richard| authorlink = Richard Ellis (biologist) | title = No Turning Back: The Life and Death of Animal Species| publisher = Harper Perennial | date = 2004| location = New York| pages = 171| isbn =0-06-055804-0 ] In reality, juveniles of both species have feathered, greenish heads quite unlike those of the adults.

The Orange-headed Parrot is a medium-small, overall green parrot with a bald, brownish-orange head. As several other members of the genus "Pyrilia", it has red underwing coverts that barely are visible when perched, but highly conspicuous in flight.

References

* BirdLife International 2004. [http://www.iucnredlist.org/search/details.php/54304/all Pionopsitta aurantiocephala] . [http://www.iucnredlist.org 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. ] Downloaded on 24 July 2007.
* [http://www.arthurgrosset.com/sabirds/baldparrot.html Bald Parrot (Pionopsitta aurantiocephala)] arthurgrosset.com. Accessed 2008-06-27.