Bald parrot | |
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Bald parrot (Pyrilia aurantiocephala) | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Aves |
Order: | Psittaciformes |
Family: | Psittacidae |
Genus: | Pyrilia |
Species: | P. aurantiocephala |
Binomial name | |
Pyrilia aurantiocephala (Gaban-Lima, Raposo, M & Höfling, 2002) | |
Synonyms | |
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The bald parrot (Pyrilia aurantiocephala) or orange-headed parrot is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is endemic to the east-central Amazon of Brazil. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests. It is considered near threatened by BirdLife International (and consequently IUCN) due to the widespread deforestation of the Amazon.
This parrot was initially believed to be a juvenile of the vulturine parrot due to the orange coloration of its bald head as opposed to the black of the vulturine. However, when it was discovered that the individuals were sexually mature, they were described as a new species. [2] In reality, juveniles of both species have feathered, greenish heads quite unlike those of the adults. It was formerly placed in the genus Pionopsitta , which is now monotypic.
In 1999, Brazilian researchers set out to the Amazon rainforest to find specimens of the small green parrot. Subsequently, many of the researchers found sexually mature orange-headed specimens, who did not flock with other birds, and instead created their own flock. [3] Thus, Brazilian researchers declared the new parrot species to be Pyrilia aurantiocephala. In the Eastern Amazon rainforest, the bald parrot was only recently discovered and was previously presumed to be the vulturine parrot. Prior to the discovery of the bald parrot, it was found these birds were sexually mature and had the potential to be a new species. [4]
Bald parrots can be found in the humid tropical lowlands spreading throughout the Lower River Madeira and Upper River Tapajós and River Teles Pires, in central Brazil.
The bald parrot flocks among other parrots, with a population size of 6,700; however, it is decreasing, as the bald parrot continues to be a rare sight for those who can catch a glimpse due to the impact of deforestation in its native habitat. [5] Although 6,700 refers to the estimated number of mature parrots present, an estimated 10,000 Bald Parrots equate to the total population of their species. [6]
The bald parrot is a medium-small, overall green parrot with a bald, brownish-orange head. [2] As several other members of the genus Pyrilia , it has red underwing coverts that barely are visible when perched, but highly conspicuous in flight. The bald parrot communicates with sounds that consist of a high pitched "skee-skee-skee" and a rolling slightly nasal of a "chow-chow-chow". [4] Their diet includes flowers, seeds, fruits, and insects. This medium-sized bird is known for its bare skin and orange head. It has the complexion of intensely orange skin, a paler and more yellow color around the eye, black(ish) coloring around the neck, a mostly green lower neck, light yellow tint to the green wings, and tinged with blue on the lower belly. The unique coloring and baldness of this parrot's head give it its name.
Caique refers to a group of four species of parrots in the genus Pionites endemic to the Amazon Basin in South America.
The short-tailed parrot is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, and Peru.
The sulphur-winged parakeet, also known as Hoffmann's conure in aviculture, is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Costa Rica and Panama.
The brown-hooded parrot is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found from Mexico to Colombia.
The white-eyed parakeet, known in aviculture as white-eyed conure, is a species of bird in the subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in every mainland South American country except Chile and also on Trinidad.
The black-winged parrot, also known as the black-eared parrot, is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Bolivia and Peru.
The vulturine parrot is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is endemic to Brazil.
The minute hermit is a tiny species of hummingbird in the family Trochilidae. It is endemic to Brazil.
The Tucumán amazon, also known as the Tucumán parrot, alder amazon, or alder parrot, is a vulnerable species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Argentina and Bolivia.
The cobalt-winged parakeet is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, and Venezuela.
The grey-cheeked parakeet, less commonly known as fire-winged parakeet, is a vulnerable species of bird in the subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Ecuador and Peru.
The tui parakeet is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, and possibly Ecuador.
The orange-cheeked parrot, also known as Barraband's parrot, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It was formerly placed in the genus Pionopsitta, which is now monotypic.
The caica parrot is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.
The South American pileated parrot is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. It was formerly known as the red-capped parrot, easily leading to confusion with the Australian Purpureicephalus spurius that bears that English name.
The rose-faced parrot is a species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Colombia and Ecuador.
The saffron-headed parrot is a Near Threatened species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is found in Colombia, Panama, and Venezuela.
The fiery-shouldered parakeet, also known as the fiery-shouldered conure, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is found in Brazil, Guyana, and Venezuela. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. There are two subspecies, P. e. egregia and P. e. obscura.
The golden-tailed parrotlet is a Vulnerable species of bird in subfamily Arinae of the family Psittacidae, the African and New World parrots. It is endemic to eastern Brazil.
Pyrilia is a genus of parrots in the family Psittacidae. It was recently split from the now-monotypic Pionopsitta, and then briefly moved to Gypopsitta. But as Pyrilia was published a few months before Gypopsitta, the latter is a junior synonym.