Dusky-billed Parrotlet
Forpus modestus
A tiny, bright green parrot found throughout much of the Amazon basin. Dusky-billed has darker green plumage and a dark upper bill compared to the very similar Blue-winged Parrotlet. Dusky-billed is also less likely to be found around clearings than Blue-winged. Often first noticed by the incessant high-pitched, buzzy calls given by flocks, not as high-pitched and piercing as the calls of Blue-winged.
Taxonomy
The dusky-billed parrotlet was previously described by the name Forpus sclateri by Jean Cabanis in 1849 but later reassigned to the genus Psittacula as Psittacula modesta by George Robert Gray in 1859. However, because the name modesta was assigned to at least two closely related birds of the genus Psittacula, the dusky-billed parrotlet was reverted to F. sclateri. As of 2006, the binomial name for the dusky-billed parrotlet is Forpus modestus, with F. m. sclateri as a subspecies.<p>It has been suggested that the dusky-billed parrotlet is basal to all other species of the genus Forpus based on diversification and speciation rates and patterns.
- Scientific name
- Forpus modestus
- Authority
- (Cabanis, 1849)
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Family
- Psittacidae
- Genus
- Forpus
Range and habitat
The dusky-billed parrotlet is found in the Amazon Rainforest in South America, where it is locally fairly common; it also occurs in the Andes and the Amazonian foothills, the Amazon River outlet, and Marajo Island.<p>Dusky-billed parrotlets prefer lowland tropical rainforest edges and clearings, riparian zones, secondary habitats, and savanna. They seem to favor seasonally-flooding forests. They are not found at altitudes higher than 1,000 metres (3,300 ft) above sea level.
- Migration
- Resident species
Behavior
Dusky-billed parrotlets are usually found in flocks of up to 100 birds outside of their breeding season; otherwise, they are seen mostly in pairs. They are very social, and conspicuous in their habitat. Calls are high-pitched notes or soft wheezing sounds, made while in flight or perched.<p>Dusky-billed parrotlets typically breed during July. Clutch size is unknown, but eggs are small, white, and roughly spherical. They nest in tree cavities or similar structures.<p>Dusky-billed parrotlets' diet consists of approximately 10% seeds, buds, and blossoms and 90% berries and fruits,. Grass is occasionally eaten as well. Dusky-billed parrotlets have also been observed to eat clay as a primary source of minerals.
Conservation
According to the IUCN Red List, dusky-billed parrotlets are a species of Least Concern. Their population size is unknown, but is believed to be stable.<p>Unlike many members of the genus Forpus, they are not captured for the parrot trade, and they are relatively unaffected by deforestation. There are many protected areas throughout their range.
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
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Dorst's Cisticola
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Small but strong-billed cisticola that is rufous on the cap and the back of the neck, rich gray-brown on the back, and pale buff below. The back is plain in breeding plumage but has blurry streaks in non-breeding plumage. Note the black band and pale tips across the end of the tail. Found locally in savanna and dry woodland, mostly in the grassy understory. Very similar to Red-pate Cisticola, and best distinguished by song, but also has a duller rufous cap and more buffy underparts, especially the undertail. Also similar to Foxy and Rufous Cisticolas, but larger, with a rufous cap that contrasts with the gray-brown back. The song is a short, high-pitched trill, sometimes followed by several whistled notes.
Bristle-nosed Barbet
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Dark, chunky barbet with a conspicuous buff tuft of feathers on its forehead. Usually found in small groups on and around dead trees in rainforest, secondary growth, and plantations, often alongside Naked-faced or Gray-throated Barbets. The vocalizations include nasal “squeaky toy” calls, a dry rattle, and a series of identical hollow hoots. Very similar to Naked-faced Barbet, but has a large tuft above the bill. Also similar to Gray-throated Barbet, but has a mostly unfeathered head and a pale bill.
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