Pesquet's parrot
{{short description|Species of bird}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{speciesbox
| image = Psittrichas fulgidus -Miami Zoo, USA-8-2c.jpg
| image_caption = At Miami MetroZoo, USA
| image_upright = 1.2
| status = VU
| status_system = IUCN3.1
| genus = Psittrichas
| parent_authority = Lesson, 1831
| species = fulgidus
| authority = (Lesson, 1830)
| display_parents = 3
}}
Pesquet's parrot (Psittrichas fulgidus), also known as the Dracula parrot{{Cite magazine |first=Becky |last=Crew |author-link=Becky Crew |title=The Dracula parrot is intimidating |magazine=Australian Geographic |year=2019 |url=https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/blogs/creatura-blog/2019/12/the-dracula-parrot-is-intimidating-af/ }} or as the vulturine parrot, is a member of the Old World parrot family Psittaculidae. It is the only member of the genus Psittrichas. The species is endemic to hill and montane rainforests in New Guinea.
Description
Pesquet's parrot is a large parrot with a total length of approximately {{ cvt|46|cm|in|round=0.5}} and a weight of {{cvt|680|–|800|g|oz}}. Its plumage is black, with greyish scaling to the chest, and a red belly, uppertail coverts and wing-panels. The adult male has a red spot behind the eye, which is not present in females.{{Cite book |first=Joseph M. |last=Forshaw |author-link=Joseph Forshaw |title=Parrots of the World: An Identification Guide |others=Illustrated by Frank Knight |publisher=Princeton University Press |isbn=0-691-09251-6 |at=Plate 23 |year=2006 |url=https://archive.org/details/parrotsofworldid0000fors/page/ |url-access=registration}} Compared to most other parrots, Pesquet's parrot appears unusually small-headed, in part due to its bare black facial skin and its long, hooked bill that is specialized for eating fruit. This vulture-like profile is the reason behind its alternative common name.{{Cite book |title=Handbook of the birds of the world: orders Pterocliformes, Columbiformes, Psittaciformes and Cuculiformes |date=1997 |publisher=Lynx edicions |isbn=978-84-87334-22-1 |location=Barcelona}}
Behaviour
Pesquet's parrot is a highly specialised frugivore, feeding almost exclusively on a few species of figs. Flowers and nectar have also been reported. In parts of its range, it is seasonally nomadic in response to the availability of fruits. The bare part of the head is presumably an adaptation to avoid feather-matting from sticky fruits.
Little is known about its breeding habits in the wild. Typically, it lays two eggs in a nest in a large, hollow tree.
Pesquet's parrot is typically seen in pairs or groups up to 20 individuals. In flight, it alternates between rapid flapping and short glides.{{Cite book |last=Juniper |first=Tony |title=Parrots: a guide to the parrots of the world |last2=Parr |first2=Michael James |date=1998 |publisher=Pica press |isbn=978-1-873403-40-2 |location=Robertsbridge}}
Status
Its feathers are highly prized. This, combined with high prices in aviculture, has resulted in overhunting. Habitat loss also presents an ongoing problem. For these reasons, it is evaluated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Pesquet's parrot is listed on Appendix II of CITES.
Gallery
File:PesquetsParrot03.jpg|Female at Cincinnati Zoo
File:Psittrichas fulgidus -Jurong Bird Park-8a.jpg|Upper body
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Commons category|Psittrichas fulgidus}}
- [https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/pesquets-parrot-psittrichas-fulgidus BirdLife Species Factsheet]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20061013150333/http://www.rdb.or.id/detailbird.php?id=206 Red Data Book]
{{Psittacopasseres|Ps.|state=collapsed}}
{{Taxonbar|from=Q80736}}