Pesquet's parrot ( Psittrichas fulgidus), also known as the Dracula parrot
Description
Pesquet's parrot is a large
parrot with a total length of approximately and a weight of . 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.
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.
Behaviour
Pesquet's parrot is a highly specialised
frugivore, feeding almost exclusively on a few
species of
ficus.
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.
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.
Pesquet's parrot is listed on Appendix II of
CITES.
Gallery
File:PesquetsParrot03.jpg|Female at Cincinnati Zoo
File:Psittrichas fulgidus -Jurong Bird Park-8a.jpg|Upper body
External links
