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Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot

 (Micropsitta keiensis)

Also known as: Kai Islands Pygmy Parrot

Click photo to visit gallery

Wild Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot
© Mehd Halaouate

Did You Know?

The Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot nests in an arboreal termitarium. Two eggs are laid in the unlined cavity and are incubated by the female, and possibly up to four other roosting "helper" adults.

Academic Research

Related publications: Micropsitta keiensis

Species Profile

Genus: Micropsitta | Species: keiensis

Size:

9.5cm (3.7 in)

Weight:

11-14g (0.4-0.5 oz)

Subspecies including nominate:

three: M.k. keiensis, M.k. viridipectus, M.k. chloroxantha

Colour Adult:

M.k. keiensis: Both adults mainly green; yellow crown, becoming dusky on forehead; brown face, changing to green on lower cheeks; yellow undertail coverts; blue central tail feathers; green/black lateral tail feathers. Bill grey. Eye brown.
M.k. viridipectus: Darker in general than keiensis; brown crown tinted with yellow.
M.k. chloroxantha: Male-orange/red centre of breast and abdomen, the remaining underparts yellow/green. Female-underparts all yellow/green; green/yellow crown.

Colour Juvenile:

M.k. keiensis: In general duller in colour. Bill yellow tipped with grey/brown.
M.k. viridipectus: As in adults.
M.k. chloroxantha: As in adult female.

Call:

Calls are high-pitched and squeaky notes repeated at short spans.

Listen Now

Video Links:

Video 1

More Information:

Avibase

Content Sources:

Click photo to visit gallery

Wild Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot
© Mehd Halaouate

Did You Know?

The Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot nests in an arboreal termitarium. Two eggs are laid in the unlined cavity and are incubated by the female, and possibly up to four other roosting "helper" adults.

Academic Research

Related publications: Micropsitta keiensis

Species Care

Captive Status:

Not found in captivity.

Longevity:

Not recorded.

Housing:

Not recorded.

Diet:

Not recorded.

Enrichment:

Not recorded.

Nest Box Size:

Not recorded.

Clutch Size:

2

Incubation Time:

Not recorded.

Fledging Age:

Not recorded.

Hatch Weight:

Not recorded.

Peak Weight:

Not recorded.

Weaning Weight:

Not recorded.

Click photo to visit gallery

Wild Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot
© Mehd Halaouate

Did You Know?

The Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot nests in an arboreal termitarium. Two eggs are laid in the unlined cavity and are incubated by the female, and possibly up to four other roosting "helper" adults.

Academic Research

Related publications: Micropsitta keiensis

Species Wild Status

World Population:

Unknown, stable.

IUCN Red List Status:

Least Concern

CITES Listing:

Appendix II

Threat Summary:

Not globally threatened. Very common on Kai Island, scarce on Aru (apparently naturally). Is moderately common throughout W Papuan Islands.

Range:

M.k. keiensis: Kai and Aru Islands, Indonesia.
M.k. viridipectus: S New Guinea between Mimika and Fly Rivers.
M.k. chloroxantha: W Papuan Islands and on Vogelkop and Onin Peninsulas, Irian Jaya.

Habitat:

Found up to 550m (1804 ft) in lowland forest, secondary growth and sometimes around villages and in coconut groves.

Wild Diet:

Feeds on lichen, fungus, seeds, fruit and insects.

Ecology and Behaviour:

Generally are seen singly, in pairs or small groups, from the understorey to about 20m (65 ft) above ground. These birds clamber about trunks and limbs of trees, descending head first at times in their foraging activities.

Clutch and Egg Size:

2 eggs

Breeding Season:

September-March; nest is hollow in arboreal termite mound.

Related Links:

Oriental Bird Club Images

Click photo to visit gallery

Wild Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot
© Mehd Halaouate

Did You Know?

The Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot nests in an arboreal termitarium. Two eggs are laid in the unlined cavity and are incubated by the female, and possibly up to four other roosting "helper" adults.

Academic Research

Related publications: Micropsitta keiensis

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