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Pesquet's Parrot  (Psittrichas fulgidus)

Also Known As: Vulturine Parrot
 
pesquets_parrot_11

Pesquet’s Parrot perched

Credit: © Jamie Gilardi
 
photos Photos videoVideo 1
 
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Did You Know?
The Pesquet's Parrot is the only parrot with a bare (featherless) face. It is felt it has evolved this bare face to avoid feathers becoming matted with the fruit pulp the parrot feeds on.

Status in the Wild
World Population:
42,000

Range: Found in mountains of mainland New Guinea.

Habitat:
Found at 600-1500m (1968-4920 ft); occasionally recorded in lowlands but mainly restricted to hill and lower montane forests. Also tall secondary growth.

Threat Summary:
Main threat is hunting for feathers, which are used for ceremonial dress; also hunted for meat and cage bird trade.

IUCN Rating:
Vulnerable

Wild Diet:
Feeds mainly on soft pulp of figs (Ficus), mangoes (Mangifera indica) and large flowers of Freycinetia mangopandans.

CITES Rating:
Appendix II

Ecology:
Large, conspicuous and encountered in pairs or in groups of up to 20 birds, perched at the top of the canopy or flying noisily through the trees. Observed roosting in one tree at dusk.

Clutch and Egg Size:
2 eggs, 44.5 x 36.5mm (1.7 x 1.4 in).

Breeding Season:
February-May.

More Info Sites:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psittrichadini

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3793/is_/ai_n8985092

http://www.apscience.org.au/projects/PBF_01_12/pbf_01_12.htm