Finsch's pygmy parrot
Finsch's pygmy parrot | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Psittaciformes |
Family: | Psittaculidae |
Genus: | Micropsitta |
Species: | M. finschii
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Binomial name | |
Micropsitta finschii (Ramsay, 1881)
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Range in red |
Finsch's pygmy parrot (Micropsitta finschii), also known as the emerald pygmy parrot and green pygmy parrot, is a member of parrot family Psittacidae inhabiting tropical rainforest regions of islands in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, and the Bismarck Archipelago.
The common name and scientific name commemorate the German ethnographer, naturalist, and colonial explorer
Description
Finsch's pygmy parrot is characterized by a green head and neck (which is unique among species of the genus
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[1][3][4][5]
- M. 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.
- M. 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.
- M. 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.
- M. f. tristrami 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.
- M. 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.
Habitat
The parrots are found in tropical rainforests (up to an elevation of 900 m (3,000 ft)).
Behaviour
Diet
The birds find food by climbing tree bark vertically or by climbing along the bottom of branches while hanging upside-down.[3] While foraging and feeding, the tail feathers are used as a prop against the tree surface.[3] 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.[6] Some birds apparently associate with slow-moving mixed bird flocks.
Vocalizations
The song of 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.[3] Other sounds produced include shrill squawking and chattering.[3]
Reproduction
Finsch's pygmy parrots are often found in pairs or small groups (three to six individuals).
References
- ^ . Retrieved 11 November 2021.
- ^ Beolens, Bo; Watkins, Michael (2003). Whose Birds? Men and Women Commemorated in the Common Names of Birds. London: Christopher Helm. p. 127.
- ^ ISBN 0-691-09251-6
- ^ Diamond, Jared (1976). Distributional Ecology and Habits of Some Bougainville Birds (Solomon Islands). The Condor, v.77, No. 1, p. 14-23
- ^ Kratter et al. (2001). Avifauna of a Lowland Forest Site on Isabel, Solomon Islands. The Auk, v. 118, no. 2, p. 472-483
- ^ del Hoyo, Elliott and Sargatal. 1992. Handbook to the birds of the world. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona, Spain
- ^ ISBN 0-8138-2749-3