Bald parrot

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Bald parrot
Bald parrot.JPG
Bald parrot (Pyrilia aurantiocephala)

Near Threatened (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Pyrilia
Species:
P. aurantiocephala
Binomial name
Pyrilia aurantiocephala
(Gaban-Lima, Raposo, M & Hofling, 2002)
Synonyms
  • Pionopsitta aurantiocephala Gaban-Lima, Raposo & Hofling, 2002
  • Gypopsitta aurantiocephala

The bald parrot (Pyrilia aurantiocephala) or orange-headed parrot is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It was formerly placed in the genus Pionopsitta, which is now monotypic. It is endemic to the east-central Amazon of Brazil. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests. It is considered near threatened by BirdLife International (and consequently IUCN) due to the widespread deforestation of the Amazon.

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.[2] In reality, juveniles of both species have feathered, greenish heads quite unlike those of the adults.

Coming from a unique bird species, the Bald Parrot has recently been discovered and has officially become a member of the parrot family, Psittacidae. In 1999, Brazilian researchers set out to the Amazon rainforest to find specimens of the small Green Parrot. Subsequently, many of the researchers found sexually mature orange-headed specimens, who did not flock with other birds, instead created their own flock.[3] Thus, Brazilian researchers declared the new parrot species to be Pyrilia Aurantiocephala, the Bald Parrot. In the Eastern Amazon rainforest, the Bald Parrot was only recently discovered and was previously presumed to be the Vulturine Parrot. Prior to the discovery of the Bald Parrot, it was found these birds were sexually mature and had the character ability to form a whole new species of bird.[4] Therefore, came to be discovered the male and female Bald Parrot. The male and female Bird Parrot do not go by the same overarching name instead, the male Bald parrot is referred to as a Cock and a female Bald parrot is referred to as a Hen. Although these birds are mature, it was found that even the juveniles of both species have green feathered heads, making them different from the adults yet a similarity that made it more difficult to distinguish the Bald Parrot.

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. 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".[4] Their diet includes flowers, seeds, fruits, and insects. This medium-sized bird is known for its bare skin and orange head. This 9-inch-long Parrot 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 references the rarity and small population size of this family. The Bald Parrot flocks among other parrots, with a population size of 6,700 yet a decreasing number as the Bald Parrot continues to be a rare sight for those who can catch a glimpse due to the impact of deforestation around the globe.[5] 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.[6]

Description[]

The bald parrot is a medium-small, overall green parrot with a bald, brownish-orange head.[2] As several other members of the genus Pyrilia, it has red underwing coverts that barely are visible when perched, but highly conspicuous in flight.

References[]

  1. ^ BirdLife International (2016). "Pyrilia aurantiocephala". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22729967A95023484. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22729967A95023484.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b Ellis, Richard (2004). No Turning Back: The Life and Death of Animal Species. New York: Harper Perennial. pp. 171. ISBN 0-06-055804-0.
  3. ^ "Bald discovery - ProQuest". www.proquest.com. Retrieved 2021-10-18.
  4. ^ a b Fjeldså, Jon; Boesman, Peter F. D. (2020-03-04). "Bald Parrot (Pyrilia aurantiocephala)". Birds of the World.
  5. ^ Fjeldså, Jon; Boesman, Peter F. D. (2020-03-04). "Bald Parrot (Pyrilia aurantiocephala)". Birds of the World.
  6. ^ "Bald Parrot Facts - Photos - Earth's Endangered Creatures". www.earthsendangered.com. Retrieved 2021-10-18.


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