Finsch’s Pygmy Parrot |
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Also known as: Green Pygmy Parrot, Emerald Pygmy Parrot
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The Finsch's Pygmy Parrot nests in termite mounds in trees. The birds excavate a tunnel which slopes upwards into the mound; it is also used as a roosting site.Academic Research
Related publications: Micropsitta finschiiSpecies Profile
Genus: Micropsitta | Species: finschii
Size:
9.5cm (3.7 in)
Weight:
12g (0.4 oz)
Subspecies including nominate:
five: M.f. finschii, M.f. aolae, M.f. tristami, M.f. nanina, M.f. viridifrons
Colour Adult:
M.f. finschii: Male-mainly green in colour; blue at base of lower mandible; orange/red at centre of abdomen; undertail coverts yellow; green/blue centre tail feathers, tipped in the centre black; lateral tail feathers blue/black. Bill dark grey. Cere and eye ring pink. Eye orange/pink. Female-rose/pink at base of lower mandible; orange/red on abdomen absent; blue/grey cere and eye ring.
M.f. aolae: Both adults darker green on upperparts; crown has blue patch; orange/red on abdomen absent in males.
M.f. tristami: Both adults as in finschii, but blue on crown absent and orange/red on abdomen absent in males.
M.f. nanina: Both adults as in aolae, but with less blue on crown. Smaller in size.
M.f. viridifrons: Both adults as in aolae, but with more blue on crown; blue wash on sides of head; orange/red on abdomen in some males.
Colour Juvenile:
M.f. finschii: As in adults. Bill pale grey. Cere grey. Eye red/brown.
Call:
Calls are described as moderately loud series of notes, repeated two or three times in a sequence; also various squeaks, shrill notes and soft, whispering chattering.
Listen NowVideo Links:
Video 1 | Video 2More Information:
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
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006. 2010 edition
Lexicon of Parrots, Thomas Arndt.
Photos
View in GalleryDid You Know?
The Finsch's Pygmy Parrot nests in termite mounds in trees. The birds excavate a tunnel which slopes upwards into the mound; it is also used as a roosting site.Academic Research
Related publications: Micropsitta finschiiSpecies 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:
1-2
Incubation Time:
Not recorded.
Fledging Age:
Not recorded.
Hatch Weight:
Not recorded.
Peak Weight:
Not recorded.
Weaning Weight:
Not recorded.
Photos
View in GalleryDid You Know?
The Finsch's Pygmy Parrot nests in termite mounds in trees. The birds excavate a tunnel which slopes upwards into the mound; it is also used as a roosting site.Academic Research
Related publications: Micropsitta finschiiSpecies Wild Status
World Population:
Unknown, stable.
IUCN Red List Status:
Least Concern
CITES Listing:
Appendix II
Threat Summary:
Not globally threatened. A BirdLife “restricted-range” species. Threatened by logging and habitat degradation on Guadalcanal. Abundant within narrow elevation range, S Bougainville. Fairly common in Bismarcks and throughout most of Solomon Islands.
Range:
M.f. finschii: Ugi, San Cristobal, and Rennell, S Solomon Islands.
M.f. aolae: Guadalcanal, Malaita, Florida, and Russell, C Solomon Islands.
M.f. tristami: Vella Lavella, Gizo, Kolombangara, New Georgia, Rubiana, and Rendova, W Solomon Islands.
M.f. nanina: Santa Isabel, Bugotu, and Choiseul, N Solomon Islands, and Bougainville Island, E Papua New Guinea.
M.f. viridifrons: Lihir and Tabar Islands, New Hanover, and New Ireland, in Bismarck Archipelago, E Papua New Guinea.
Habitat:
Found up to 900m (2952 ft) in primary forest, overgrown gardens, casuarinas, secondary growth, open scrubby areas and coconut plantations.
Wild Diet:
Feeds on lichen, fungi, some bark and scaled insects.
Ecology and Behaviour:
Seen singly, in pairs or in groups of 3-6 individuals. Feeds upside down on lichens and fungi on tree trunks, using its tail as a prop against the bark.
Clutch and Egg Size:
1-2 eggs, 16.5 x 14.5mm (0.65 x 0.6 in).
Breeding Season:
March-May; nest is in low arboreal termitarium or terrestrial mound.
Related Links:
Photos
View in GalleryDid You Know?
The Finsch's Pygmy Parrot nests in termite mounds in trees. The birds excavate a tunnel which slopes upwards into the mound; it is also used as a roosting site.Academic Research
Related publications: Micropsitta finschiiMembers Only Resources
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