Edwardss Fig Parrot (Psittaculirostris edwardsii)

Edwardss Fig Parrot

Subspecies

Genus	Species	subspecies	Region	Range
Psittaculirostris	edwardsii		AU	n New Guinea

Genus

Psittaculirostris is a genus of 3 parrot species in the Psittacidae family found in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. These parrots are medium sized, 18-20 cm, stocky parrots, with colourful plumage. Their most prominent features are the extremely short, rounded tail, the elongated ear-coverts and proportionally large bill with a prominent notch in the upper mandible. Fig Parrots are distributed throughout different regions of New Guinea, where they can be found primarily in fruit-bearing trees, especially fig trees.

Physical charateristics

The Edward’s Fig Parrot averages 7 inches (~ 18 cm) in length. The most distinguishing features of the male fig parrots are the broad blue-black band on the upper breast, the red belly and lower breast and the broad black line through the eyes to the hind crown and nape. It has a green forehead. The lores (the regions between the eyes and bill on the side of a bird’s head) and crown are yellowish-green cheeks. The side of the head is yellow. It has greenish blue patches under the eyes. There is a narrow violet-pale blue band on the breast progressing to the red band.

Listen to the sound of Edwardss Fig Parrot

[audio:http://www.planetofbirds.com/MASTER/PSITTACIFORMES/Psittacidae/sounds/Edwardss Fig Parrot.mp3]

Copyright remark: Most sounds derived from xeno-canto

recorded by Iain Woxvold

wingspan min.:	0	cm	wingspan max.:	0	cm
size min.:	18	cm	size max.:	19	cm
incubation min.:	0	days	incubation max.:	0	days
fledging min.:	0	days	fledging max.:	0	days
broods:	1		eggs min.:	1
			eggs max.:	3

Range

Australasia : North New Guinea. The Edwards’s Fig Parrot is restricted to northeastern New Guinea, where it is found from Yos Sudarso Bay and Vanimo east to the Huon Gulf

Habitat

Found up to 800m (2624 ft) in humid lowland forest, partially cleared areas, forest edge as well as near human settlements . Are usually found in pairs or noisy groups. Flocks of up to 400 birds have been recorded in the tops of fruiting trees. Birds are quick moving, hanging upside down to reach food.

Reproduction

Nesting takes place in small hollows high up in large trees, although little is known about this aspect of their behaviour. Clutch size is 2 eggs.

Feeding habits

Feeds on fruits, figs, casuarinas, nectar and possibly insects

Video Edwardss Fig Parrot

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJTSGvZsdXI

Conservation

Although this species may have a restricted range, it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size has not been quantified, but it is not believed to approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern.
The global population size has not been quantified, but the species is reported to be locally common to very common . The population is suspected to be stable in the absence of evidence for any declines or substantial threats.

Edwardss Fig Parrot status Least Concern

Migration

Sedentary

Distribution map

Edwardss Fig Parrot distribution range map

Planet of Birds