Rhynchopsitta

Thick-billed parrot
Adult Cincinnati Zoo , US
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Psittaciformes
Family:	Psittacidae
Tribe:	Arini
Genus:	Rhynchopsitta Bonaparte, 1854
Type species
Macrocercus pachyrhynchus[1] Swainson, 1827
Species
Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha (Swainson , 1827) Rhynchopsitta terrisi Moore, RT , 1947 †Rhynchopsitta phillipsi Rea, 1997

The thick-billed parrots are stocky brilliant green Neotropical parrots with heavy black beaks of genus Rhynchopsitta of thick billed macaw-like parrots. The genus comprises two extant species, the thick-billed parrot and the maroon-fronted parrot, as well as an extinct species from the Late Pleistocene in Mexico. The two extant taxa were formerly considered conspecific; they have become rare and are restricted to a few small areas in northern Mexico. The range of the thick-billed parrot formerly extended into the southwestern United States; attempts at reintroduction have been unsuccessful so far.

Description

The two living species have a similar overall appearance, the principal differences lying in their relative sizes and brightness of coloration. Both are mainly green, with red or maroon markings on the forehead, forecrown, broad superciliary stripe, and

The genus was described by French naturalist Charles Lucien Bonaparte; the name is derived from the Ancient Greek terms rhynchos "beak", and psitta "parrot". The two extant taxa were considered subspecies of a single species,^[5] before being split.^[6]

• Rhynchopsitta Bonaparte, 1854
  • Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha (Swainson, 1827) (thick-billed parrot)
  • Rhynchopsitta terrisi Moore, 1947 (maroon-fronted parrot)
  • †Rhynchopsitta phillipsi Rea, 1997 - extinct

Rhynchopsitta phillipsi, a larger prehistoric relative, was described from

Ecology

Both extant species are found at heights of between 1500 and 3000 m

Both the thick-billed and the maroon-fronted parrot are classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. They are listed on CITES Appendix I, trade forbidden except for legitimate conservation, scientific or educational purposes. They are also protected under Mexican General Wildlife Law (2008), import and export prohibited. The populations of both species have declined primarily due to habitat degradation, and now both are restricted to a few small areas in the mountains of northern Mexico.^[12][13] The range of the thick-billed parrot formerly extended into Arizona and New Mexico, and attempts are being made to breed the species in captivity for release into the wild in their former range their.^[11][13] An earlier attempt in the 1980s and 1990s to reintroduce thick-billed parrots to Arizona failed because the captive-bred birds had not learned to avoid their natural and human predators,^[14] but new plans for the reintroduction of this species include the use of wild-caught individuals.^[15]

Species

Genus ''''' – , – two species

Common name	Scientific name and subspecies	Range	Size and ecology	IUCN status and estimated population
Thick-billed parrot	Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha (Swainson, 1827)	Sierra Madre Occidental in Mexico (and reintroduced to the U.S.)[13]	Size: A mostly green medium-sized parrot, 38 cm (15 in) long. Adults have a large black bill. a red brow, amber irises, red at the bend of the wings, and red thighs. Juveniles have brown irises and a pale peak. The under-wings and tail appear blackish.[3] Habitat: Diet:	EN
Maroon-fronted parrot	Rhynchopsitta terrisi R.T. Moore, 1947	Sierra Madre Oriental in Mexico[12]	Size: A large mostly green parrot about 40 cm (16 in) to 45 cm (18 in) long. The adults have a dark maroon brow which extends over the rim of bare yellow skin that surrounds the eyes. They have a brighter red at the bend of the wing. The tail is long and pointed. The underside of the wings are blackish.[4] Habitat: Diet:	EN

Fossils

References