| Forpus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Male cobalt-rumped parrotlet (Forpus xanthopterygius) | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Psittaciformes |
| Family: | Psittacidae |
| Subfamily: | Arinae |
| Tribe: | Forpini |
| Genus: | Forpus Boie, F, 1858 |
| Type species | |
| Psittacus passerinus (green-rumped parrotlet) Linnaeus, 1758 | |
| Species | |
9; see text | |
Forpus is a genus of neotropical parrots in the family Psittacidae. It is the only genus in the Forpini tribe of the subfamily Arinae.
The genus Forpus was introduced in 1858 by the German zoologist Friedrich Boie. [1] The type species was subsequently designated as the green-rumped parrotlet. [2] [3] The etymology of the genus name is unknown. [4]
The genus contains nine species: [5]
Because of similarities to their larger parrot relatives and their small size, Forpus birds are often called parrotlets.
Forpus parrotlets are relatively small birds. Species range between 11–14.5 centimetres (4.3–5.7 in) [6] [7] long and typically weigh 30–35 grams (1.1–1.2 oz). [7] [8]
Forpus species are sexually dimorphic. Most males are bright green or yellow-green, with bright blue markings on their wings, tails, rumps, and heads (location varies between species). Females are duller green with more yellow-green markings and have few or no blue feathers. Forpus parrotlets have dark brown eyes with light peach or tan feet and beaks (with the exception of the dusky-billed parrotlet, which has a darker beak and feet). Like all parrots, Forpus species exhibit zygodactyly, meaning two toes face forwards and two face backwards.
All Forpus species are found in Latin, Central, or South America, and some species have been introduced on various Caribbean islands. Mexican parrotlets are found the furthest north, in western Mexico, [9] while cobalt-rumped parrotlets have the southernmost range, extending into southern Brazil and Argentina. [10] All other species are found between these two ranges, mostly in Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia.
Forpus species tend to live in subtropical and tropical dry forests, but are also found in shrublands, savannas, and heavily deforested or degraded forest areas. They are not found at altitudes higher than 1,800 metres (5,900 ft), [11] though most species remain far below.
Forpus species are non-migratory, though some populations of cobalt-rumped parrotlets are known to locally migrate to follow ripening fruit and budding trends. Some cobalt-rumped parrotlet populations are also known to be altitudinal migrants. [12]
Forpus species often flock in groups of up to 100 individuals to socialize and feed; they are very gregarious. They have complex social relationships, and many species (especially spectacled parrotlets) have individually specific greeting calls (sometimes called "names") to recognize one another. [13]
Most species nest in small holes or openings in trees, fenceposts, or similar objects. They have been known to use old nests created by various unrelated species. Clutch sizes range from 3-7 small, white, elliptical or spherical eggs. [8] Most species breed between March and November, but some species' breeding habits are not well enough studied to know this for sure.
The typical Forpus diet includes berries and fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers, buds, and other plant matter, possibly including nectar. Some species have been observed licking or eating clay from naturally-occurring clay mounds, a behavior which is thought to serve a similar purpose as a salt lick: the clay is a reliable source of minerals, such as calcium, that are important for birds to remain healthy.
Most Forpus species are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List, with the exception of the Mexican parrotlet, which is Near Threatened and has a decreasing population, and the yellow-faced parrotlet, which is Vulnerable and has a stable population. [14] This is because of increases in the illegal parrot trade - birds are captured and sold as pets in Mexico, the U.S., and other countries. [8] This goes directly against the Wild Bird Conservation Act, CITES, and other species protection legislation. [15]
Every other species of Forpus parrotlet is believed to have stable populations. Some species, such as the spectacled parrotlet, are even believed to be increasing in population. [16] This is because parrotlets prefer low-density woodland or open spaces rather than densely forested areas, and deforestation has increased in many of their ranges.
Across all Forpus ranges, there are many conservation sites or protected areas already in place.
Many species in the genus Forpus are commonly kept as pets. These parrotlets are very social and may show signs of depression if kept alone, unless they have frequent contact with humans. Forpus parrots, especially males, can be very loud and need space to fly and roam. Like any other parrot, they usually spend their time socializing with their partner. These parrotlets enjoy chewing on calcium treats, wood (bark, e.g. corkbark), and porous rocks. Due to their curiosity, exposure to toxic material like plastic, toxic plants, and chemically treated objects should be strictly avoided, especially galvanized wires (falsely used as cheap material for aviaries) which have led to many cases of toxidrome.
Forpus parrotlets are not easy to breed as they are extremely aggressive and will sometimes kill or severely maim their partners.
Mexican, spectacled, and yellow-faced parrotlets are rarer in the U.S. but are more common as pets in other countries. Dusky-billed parrotlets, more commonly known as Sclater's parrotlets, are extremely rare and are only found in captivity in Europe. Some Forpus species, such as the Pacific parrotlet, have several color mutations that are selectively bred for as pets.
Parrotlets are a group of the smallest New World parrot species, comprising several genera, namely Forpus, Nannopsittaca, and Touit. They have stocky builds and short tails and are endemic to Middle and South America. They resemble the lovebirds of Africa in size, body shape and behaviour and have sometimes been referred to as "South American lovebirds", but are not closely related.
The white-fronted amazon also known as the white-fronted parrot, or spectacled amazon parrot, is a Central American species of parrot. They can imitate a range from 30 to 40 different sounds. Like other large parrots, the white-fronted parrot has a long potential life span, usually around 40 years.
The green-rumped parrotlet, also known as the green-rumped parakeet, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae that is found in northeastern South America and the Caribbean island of Trinidad. The green-rumped parrotlet occurs from northern Venezuela eastwards to the lower Amazon in Brazil, Also Suriname and has been introduced to Curaçao, Jamaica and Barbados. It prefers semi-open lowland areas and is also sometimes present in city parks. There are five subspecies.
The yellow-faced parrot, formerly also known as the yellow-faced amazon, is the only species of the genus Alipiopsitta. It is a Neotropical parrot, and was classified in the genus Amazona for many years. It is a predominantly green and yellow-plumaged bird with a yellow head. It is a semi-nomadic species found in the cerrado region of Brazil and adjacent Bolivia. As the yellow-faced parrot has disappeared from parts of its former range due to habitat destruction and generally occurs in low densities, it was considered vulnerable by the IUCN, but it remains locally fairly common, occurs in several protected areas and can survive in fragmented habitats, leading to its downlisting to near-threatened.
The yellow-collared lovebird, also called masked lovebird, black-masked lovebird or eye ring lovebird, is a monotypic species of bird of the lovebird genus in the parrot family Psittaculidae. They are native to Arusha Region of Tanzania and have been introduced to Burundi and Kenya. Although they have been observed in the wild in Puerto Rico, they are probably the result of escaped pets, and no reproduction has been recorded. They have also been observed in Arizona.
The Manu parrotlet or Amazonian parrotlet is a species of parrotlet native to the western Amazon basin, from southern Peru to northwest Bolivia. It is found in lowland forests near bamboo and rivers.
The cobalt-rumped parrotlet or blue-winged parrotlet is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae.
The duchess lorikeet is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is the only species placed in the genus Charmosynoides. It is found throughout the Solomon Islands archipelago. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest, subtropical or tropical moist montane forest, and plantations. It is threatened by habitat loss.
The Pacific parrotlet, also known as Lesson's parrotlet, or the celestial parrotlet, is a species of small parrot in the family Psittacidae.
The spectacled parrotlet is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae.
The Mexican parrotlet, also known as the turquoise-rumped parrotlet or the Mexican blue-rumped parrotlet, is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae.
The dusky-billed parrotlet, also known as Sclater's parrotlet, is a small species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It is the nominate species.
The yellow-faced parrotlet is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae.
The sapphire-rumped parrotlet 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, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, and Venezuela.
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.
The turquoise-winged parrotlet is a species of parrot in the family Pscittacidae.
The riparian parrotlet or large-billed parrotlet is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae.