Geelvink Pygmy-Parrot

Micropsitta geelvinkiana

A tiny parrot of forest on Biak and Numfor Islands. Typical pygmy-parrot shape with green body, yellow under the tail and brown face. Male has yellow mark down the center of the underparts and a yellow spot behind the crown. Numfor birds have a blue crown and males a blue cheek. Nuthatchlike behavior, foraging for lichens and fungus. As with other pygmy-parrot species, makes a nest in arboreal termitaria. The only pygmy-parrot in range. Call, a high-pitch twittering.

Identification

It has a brown head, blue crown, light blue ear covert, yellow breast, green body and blue tail. It has red eyes. The female has less brown than the male.

Taxonomy

Scientific name
Micropsitta geelvinkiana
Authority
(Schlegel, 1871)
Order
Psittaciformes
Family
Psittaculidae
Genus
Micropsitta

Range and habitat

Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests and rural gardens. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Migration
Resident species

Conservation

Population trend
stable

Photos

Distribution

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