Large-billed parrotlet

Large-billed parrotlet

Riparian parrotlet, Riparian, Parrotlet

Kingdom
Phylum
Class
Family
Genus
SPECIES
Forpus crassirostris

The riparian parrotlet (Forpus crassirostris ) or large-billed parrotlet is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae.

Appearance

Riparian parrotlets are typically 12–13 centimetres (4.7–5.1 in) long and weigh about 28 grams (0.99 oz). Their bodies are mostly yellow-green. Eyes are dark brown and beaks and feet are light peach. Riparian parrotlets are sexually dimorphic: males have blue rumps and lower backs, with blue feathers along the leading edges of their wings and blue secondaries; primary coverts are blue-gray. Females have no blue feathers and a yellow-green belly.

Distribution

Geography

Riparian parrotlets are found in southeastern Colombia to northern Peru and western Brazil. There is a small population on São Sebastião Island. Though they do not fully migrate, it has been suggested that riparian parrotlets are altitudinal migrants: abundance of the species in lowland areas increased during winter and spring; this is likely because during these seasons, the main plants of the large-billed parrotlets' diet were budding and providing more food.

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Riparian parrotlets tend to inhabit forest edges, riparian woodlands, and degraded or deforested areas.

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Diet and Nutrition

Riparian parrotlets feed on seeds, fruits, flowers, buds, and other plants. They favor palm, Cecropia sp., Handroanthus serratifolius flowers and nectar, and Ceiba speciosa fruits.

Mating Habits

Riparian parrotlets nest in tree cavities or similar places. They have been known to use the abandoned nests of rufous horneros and other unrelated species.

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Females lay 3-7 small white eggs, which are incubated for approximately 18 days before hatching.

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Population

Conservation

This species is currently unrecognized by the IUCN Red List, so it does not have an official conservation status. Its populations are included in estimates of cobalt-rumped parrotlets, which are listed as Least Concern with a stable population. It is suggested that the population of riparian parrotlets is relatively low.

References

1. Large-billed parrotlet Wikipedia article - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large-billed_parrotlet
2. Xeno-canto bird call - https://xeno-canto.org/257657

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