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Finsch’s Pygmy Parrot

 (Micropsitta finschii)

Also known as: Green Pygmy Parrot, Emerald Pygmy Parrot

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Wild Finsch's Pygmy Parrot
© Tony Morris [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Did 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 finschii

Species 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 Now

Video Links:

Video 1 | Video 2

More Information:

Avibase

Content Sources:

Click photo to visit gallery

Wild Finsch's Pygmy Parrot
© Tony Morris [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Did 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 finschii

Species 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.

Click photo to visit gallery

Wild Finsch's Pygmy Parrot
© Tony Morris [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Did 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 finschii

Species 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:

Wikipedia

 

Click photo to visit gallery

Wild Finsch's Pygmy Parrot
© Tony Morris [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Did 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 finschii

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