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Indigo-winged Parrot

 (Hapalopsittaca fuertesi)

Also known as: Fuertes' Parrot, Azure-winged Parrot

Click photo to visit gallery

Wild Indigo-winged Parrot
© Nick Athanas [CC BY-NC-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Did You Know?

The Fuertes parrot was only recently re-discovered after 90 yrs (it was thought to be extinct), with a very restricted range.

Programs & Projects

WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn more

Academic Research

Related publications: Hapalopsittaca fuertesi

Species Profile

Genus: Hapalopsittaca | Species: fuertesi

Size:

23cm (8.9 in)

Weight:

126g (4.4oz)

Subspecies including nominate:

One

Colour Adult:

Both adults: narrow dull red stripe across front; forehead, green/yellow lores and around eyes to ear coverts; chin and area in front of cheeks green; crown blue; various dull red feathers on abdomen; bend of wing to lesser wing coverts, carpal edge and lesser underwing coverts dark red; tail brown/red tipped with purple/blue.  Bill horn coloured with blue/grey at base of upper mandible. Eye green/yellow.

Colour Juvenile:

As in adults but with red frontal stripe absent; duller in colour; crown green slightly washed with pale blue; bend of wing to lesser wing coverts, carpal edge and lesser underwing coverts darker red. Eye grey.

Call:

Somewhat squeaky; reminiscent of shore and sea gulls.

Listen Now

Video Links:

Video 1 | Video 2

More Information:

Avibase

Content Sources:

CITES
BirdLife International
Cornell Lab of Ornithology/Birds of the World
Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World, Juniper and Parr, 1998
Parrots: Status Survey and Conservation Plan 2000-2004, Snyder, McGowan, Gilardi and Grajal, 2000.
Parrots of the World, Forshaw, 2006. 2010 edition
ML Media Catalogue 516556 Indigo-winged Parrot Hapalopsittaca fuertesi, Borgmann, Kathi, Risaralda, Colombia, Aug. 24, 2015, Cornell Lab of Ornithology.

Click photo to visit gallery

Wild Indigo-winged Parrot
© Nick Athanas [CC BY-NC-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Did You Know?

The Fuertes parrot was only recently re-discovered after 90 yrs (it was thought to be extinct), with a very restricted range.

Programs & Projects

WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn more

Academic Research

Related publications: Hapalopsittaca fuertesi

Species Care

Captive Status:

Not seen in captivity.

Longevity:

Not recorded.

Housing:

Not recorded.

Diet:

Not available

Enrichment:

Not recorded.

Nest Box Size:

Not recorded.

Clutch Size:

2-3

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 Indigo-winged Parrot
© Nick Athanas [CC BY-NC-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Did You Know?

The Fuertes parrot was only recently re-discovered after 90 yrs (it was thought to be extinct), with a very restricted range.

Programs & Projects

WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn more

Academic Research

Related publications: Hapalopsittaca fuertesi

Species Wild Status

World Population:

350-450, slowly increasing.

IUCN Red List Status:

Endangered

CITES Listing:

Appendix II

Threat Summary:

A restricted-range species; is seen in Northern Central Andes Endemic Bird Area. Extremely rare and only known from Alto Quindío Acaime and Cañón del Quindío Natural Reserves. Has been severely affected by forest clearance.

Range:

In Cordillera Central, below Nevado de Santa Isabel, W Colombia.

Habitat:

Found in cloud forest rich in epiphytes and tree ferns from 2600-3800m (8528-12,464 ft).

Wild Diet:

Favours fruits of Antidaphne viscoidea.

Ecology and Behaviour:

The habits of this parrot are poorly known, but research undertaken since 2003 has revealed some information on the species' breeding and feeding ecology. It tends to inhabit cloud-forest betweeen 2600 and 3600m, and is known to require mistletoe berries as a food source.  Nesting takes place between January and May.

Clutch and Egg Size:

2-3

Breeding Season:

January-May. Nests in tree hollows and nest boxes.

Related Links:

Fundacion ProAves
Article: Critically Endangered Colombian parrot doubles its protected habitat

Click photo to visit gallery

Wild Indigo-winged Parrot
© Nick Athanas [CC BY-NC-SA 2.0] via Flickr

Did You Know?

The Fuertes parrot was only recently re-discovered after 90 yrs (it was thought to be extinct), with a very restricted range.

Programs & Projects

WPT has worked with numerous partners to help save this species. Learn more

Academic Research

Related publications: Hapalopsittaca fuertesi

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