Bald Parrot
Pyrilia aurantiocephala
A most remarkable parrot with an entirely bare orange head and nape. Note the bright orange shoulder patch and in flight the red underwings. Occurs in humid forests, including those on white-sand forests. In flight gives nasal, high-pitched “skee-skee-skee” notes.
Identification
The bald parrot is a medium-small, overall green parrot with a bald, brownish-orange head. As several other members of the genus Pyrilia, it has red underwing coverts that barely are visible when perched, but highly conspicuous in flight. The bald parrot communicates with sounds that consist of a high pitched "skee-skee-skee" and a rolling slightly nasal of a "chow-chow-chow". Their diet includes flowers, seeds, fruits, and insects. This medium-sized bird is known for its bare skin and orange head. It has the complexion of intensely orange skin, a paler and more yellow color around the eye, black(ish) coloring around the neck, a mostly green lower neck, light yellow tint to the green wings, and tinged with blue on the lower belly. The unique coloring and baldness of this parrot's head give it its name.
Taxonomy
This parrot was initially believed to be a juvenile of the vulturine parrot due to the orange coloration of its bald head as opposed to the black of the vulturine. However, when it was discovered that the individuals were sexually mature, they were described as a new species. In reality, juveniles of both species have feathered, greenish heads quite unlike those of the adults. It was formerly placed in the genus Pionopsitta, which is now monotypic.
- Scientific name
- Pyrilia aurantiocephala
- Authority
- (Gaban-Lima, Raposo, M & Höfling, 2002)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Pyrilia
Range and habitat
Bald parrots can be found in the humid tropical lowlands spreading throughout the Lower River Madeira and Upper River Tapajós and River Teles Pires, in central Brazil.
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
The bald parrot flocks among other parrots, with a population size of 6,700; however, it is decreasing, as the bald parrot continues to be a rare sight for those who can catch a glimpse due to the impact of deforestation in its native habitat. Although 6,700 refers to the estimated number of mature parrots present, an estimated 10,000 Bald Parrots equate to the total population of their species.
- Population trend
- declining
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Masked Antpitta
Hylopezus auricularis
Medium-sized antpitta of floodplain forest, particularly with palmetto understory, along the confluence of the Ríos Madre de Dios and Bení in the Riberalta area. The only antpitta in range with dark chevrons on underparts or a blue-gray cap. Forages on or near the ground, but generally perches 1-2 m up in the understory or midstory to sing at dawn. Visually distinctive in range, but song deceptively similar to, and perhaps indistinguishable from, local songs of Amazonian Antshrike. Call a more distinctive three to four-part descending whistle.
Yemen Serin
Crithagra menachensis
Small, slim seedeater of the southern Arabian highlands. Brown overall, with a buffy face and whitish underparts. , Note blurry pale eyebrow, fine dark streaks on the crown and upper back, and blotchy streaking on the underparts. Found in rocky montane areas, both with and without trees and shrubs. Sometimes on human structures. Usually in small groups. The song is a simple series of whistles and trills, and calls include rising “swiiit” notes, “chwee” notes, and dry rattles. Similar to Olive-rumped Serin, but has a stronger facial pattern and lacks an olive rump. Also tends to be found in more barren areas.
Straight-billed Woodcreeper
Dendroplex picus
Widespread and fairly common in northern South America. This medium-sized woodcreeper is found in open wooded habitats, scrub, and riparian forest. The well-named woodcreeper has a very straight bill that can even look slightly upturned unlike most other woodcreepers. Also note the bill’s pale color. Otherwise, mostly dark brown with fine streaking on the head and breast, but note the unstreaked back. Very similar to Zimmer’s Woodcreeper, but listen for Straight-billed’s slightly slower song that typically goes up in pitch at the end. Striped Woodcreeper has more streaking on the back and a slightly decurved bill. Usually seen singly or in pairs working up tree trunks and branches, usually at lower to middle levels in forest. Sometimes follows mixed-species flocks.
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