Black Parrot (Coracopsis nigra) | Parrot Encyclopedia

Wild Black Parrot
© David Cook [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

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The incubation time for the eggs of the Black Parrot is 14 days - shorter than any other parrot.

Academic Research

Related publications: Coracopsis nigra

Species Profile

Genus: Coracopsis | Species: nigra

Size:

35 cm (13.6 in)

Weight:

315g (11 oz)

Subspecies including nominate:

two: C.n. nigra, C.n. libs

Colour Adult:

C.n. nigra: Both adults black/brown; undertail covers marked grey; outer webs of primary feathers grey; tail brown/black, banded darker towards tip. Bill pink/white, becoming grey after moult. Bare eye ring grey; eye dark brown.
C.n. libs: Both adults paler in colour; underparts more brown; upperparts tinged with blue/grey; no dark band on tail.

Colour Juvenile:

Immatures paler than adults with yellowish tinge on bill and pale grey tail feather tips.

Call:

Varied sounds, more pleasant sounding than Vasa Parrot. Flute like whistles. Some calls shrieking or discordant. Also melodic whistle quite different than Vasa Parrot.

Listen Now

Video Links:

Video 1

More Information:

Avibase

Content Sources:

CITES
BirdLife International
Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Birds of the World
Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World, Juniper and Parr, 1998
Article "Lesser and Greater Vasa Parrots," Dave Blynn, Bird Talk magazine,1992
ML Media Collection Catalogue 93555 Black Parrot (Coracopsis nigra), Schulenberg, Thomas, Toliara, Madagascar, Oct. 7, 1989, Cornell Lab of Ornithology. Site
Parrots of the World, Forshaw and Cooper, 1989. 2010 edition
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006.
Parrots in Aviculture, Low, 1992.
Psittacine Aviculture, Schubot, Clubb and Clubb, 1992.

Wild Black Parrot
© David Cook [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The incubation time for the eggs of the Black Parrot is 14 days - shorter than any other parrot.

Academic Research

Related publications: Coracopsis nigra

Species Care

Captive Status:

Rarely seen

Longevity:

Not recorded.

Housing:

Walk-in aviary, minimum length 4.5m (14.7 ft).

Diet:

Fruit such as: apple, pear, orange, banana, cactus fruits, pomegranate, forming about 30% of the diet; fresh vegetables such as: carrot, celery, green peas, beans, fresh corn, green leaves; spray millet and limited mixed seed, cooked beans and pulses, complete kibble.

Enrichment:

When housed in outdoor aviaries, Black Parrots love to bathe in the rain. They are also avid sunbathers, spreading their wings out.

Nest Box Size:

Vertical box 12" x 12" x 36" (30.5cm x 30.5cm x 91.5cm).

Clutch Size:

3 to 5

Incubation Time:

14 days

Fledging Age:

5-6 weeks

Hatch Weight:

Not recorded.

Peak Weight:

Not recorded.

Weaning Weight:

Not recorded.

Wild Black Parrot
© David Cook [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The incubation time for the eggs of the Black Parrot is 14 days - shorter than any other parrot.

Academic Research

Related publications: Coracopsis nigra

Species Wild Status

World Population:

Unknown, stable.

IUCN Red List Status:

Least Concern

CITES Listing:

Appendix II

Threat Summary:

Officially treated as pest species because of crop damage, also hunted for food and taken for pets. Ongoing forest loss appears to be the most significant threat.

Range:

C.n. nigra: E Madagascar.
C.n. libs: W Madagascar.

Habitat:

Found in variety of habitats including forest, savanna, wood surrounded villages, primary forest and cultivated areas from sea-level to 2050m (6724 ft).

Wild Diet:

Takes mainly unripe fruits including Poupartia chapelieri, Polyalthia madaascariensis, Cabucala madagascariensis, Polyscias sp., Schefflera rainaliana, Dypsis prestoniana, Symphonia sp., Terminalia fatraea, Agelea pentagyna, Agave rigida, Hippocratea rubiginosa, Alluaudia procera, Croton sp., Uapaca sp., Acacia farnessiana, Tamarindus indica, Melia azedarach, Neotina isoneura and Celtis philippensis, as well as mango (Mangifera indica). Also flowers and shoots of Capuronia madagascariensis, Colvillea racemosa, Foetidia asymmetrica and Bivinia jalberti.

Ecology and Behaviour:

Diurnal foraging movements, but resident. Usually seen in small noisy flocks; active on moonlit nights.

Clutch and Egg Size:

3 to 5 eggs, oval shaped, 36 x 26mm (1.4 x 1 in).

Breeding Season:

Likely November-February; nest is in tree hollow or occasionally a cavity once occupied by Vasa Parrots (Coracopsis vasa). Recorded using a cavity at the same time as a Lesser Hedgehog Tenrec (Echinops telfairi).

Photos

View in Gallery

Did You Know?

The incubation time for the eggs of the Black Parrot is 14 days - shorter than any other parrot.

Academic Research

Related publications: Coracopsis nigra

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