Pesquet's parrot

Pesquet's parrot
At Miami MetroZoo, USA
Conservation status
Vulnerable  (IUCN 3.1) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Psittaciformes
Family:	Psittaculidae
Subfamily:	Psittrichasinae
Genus:	Psittrichas Lesson, 1831
Species:	P. fulgidus
Binomial name
Psittrichas fulgidus (Lesson, 1830)

Pesquet's parrot (Psittrichas fulgidus), also known as the Dracula parrot ^[2] 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.

Name origin

Pesquet's parrot was named in honor of M. Pecquet, who gave the holotype specimen to naturalist René-Primevère Lesson, along with some general information about the animal. In his original notes, Lesson noted that the bird was collected during an expedition to Patagonia, although he later clarified that it had likely come from New Guinea. The bird was obtained by Pecquet during a voyage aboard the French vessel L'Astrolabe, on which Lesson's brother was also present. ^[3]

Originally, Lesson named the species Banksianus fulgidus (1830), but he changed the name one year later to Psittacus pecquetii. In 1838, he renamed the species again, this time to Psittrichas pesqueti. During the 19th century, multiple other scientific names were used to refer to the species. ^[3]

Description

Pesquet's parrot is a large parrot with a total length of approximately 46 cm (18 in) and a weight of 680–800 g (24–28 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. ^[4] 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. ^[5]

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. ^[6]

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. ^[1] Pesquet's parrot is listed on Appendix II of CITES.

Gallery

• 
  Female at Cincinnati Zoo
• 
  Upper body

References

1. BirdLife International (2017). "Psittrichas fulgidus". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species . 2017 e.T22685025A118772050. doi: 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22685025A118772050.en .
2. Crew, Becky (2019). "The Dracula parrot is intimidating". Australian Geographic .
3. The Eponym Dictionary of Birds. Bloomsbury Publishing. 2020. p. 430. ISBN   9781472982698.
4. Forshaw, Joseph M. (2006). Parrots of the World: An Identification Guide . Illustrated by Frank Knight. Princeton University Press. Plate 23. ISBN   0-691-09251-6.
5. Handbook of the birds of the world: orders Pterocliformes, Columbiformes, Psittaciformes and Cuculiformes. Barcelona: Lynx edicions. 1997. ISBN   978-84-87334-22-1.
6. Juniper, Tony; Parr, Michael James (1998). Parrots: a guide to the parrots of the world. Robertsbridge: Pica press. ISBN   978-1-873403-40-2.

External links

• BirdLife Species Factsheet
• Red Data Book