Pesquets Parrot Psittrichas fulgidus

Pesquets Parrot Psittrichas fulgidus

Red List Status: Vulnerable

Extant (resident): West Papua & Papua New Guinea

The beguiling Pesquet’s #parrots are sometimes known as ‘Dracula parrots’ due to their unique appearance. This includes black facial features, black feathers and bright red patches that reminiscent of a Dracula-like cloak. This striking combination lends them a slightly eerie and dramatic look, making them truly a sight to behold.

They inhabit the lush #rainforests of #WestPapua and #PapuaNewGuinea and make gentle gliding flights. They have a specialised diet of figs and face significant threats from #deforestation and #hunting. These magnificent birds are classified as vulnerable, and their population is decreasing. You can make a difference by choosing products that protect their rainforest habitat. Make sure you #BoycottPalmOil and #Boycott4Wildlife in the supermarket!

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Appearance & Behaviour

One of the quirkiest features of Pesquet’s parrot is their diet—they feed almost exclusively on a few species of figs, making them highly specialised frugivores. Their bare heads help prevent sticky fruit juice from matting their feathers. These birds are strong flyers, often seen gliding gracefully between trees. They are social creatures, typically spotted in pairs or small groups of up to 20 individuals.

Threats

Pesquet’s Parrots are now listed as ‘vulnerable’ on the Red List due to a range of human-related threats:

• Palm oil and timber deforestation
• Mining deforestation
• Human persecution and collection for ceremonial feathers
• Pollution run-off from industrial agriculture

Empower yourself to make a difference. Together, we can fight for the survival of Pesquet’s parrot by making mindful choices. #BoycottPalmOil and support indigenous sovereignty in Papua. Share this page and join the movement to protect our precious wildlife #BoycottPalmOil #Boycott4Wildlife

Appearance and Behaviour

Pesquet’s parrot, also known as the Dracula parrot, is an impressive bird with a length of about 46 cm (18 inches) and a weight of 680–800 grams (24–28 ounces). Their feathers are predominantly black with greyish scaling on the chest and vivid red patches on the belly, upper tails, and wing panels. Males have a distinctive red spot behind the eye. These parrots are known for their relatively small heads, bare black facial skin, and long, hooked bills, adaptations that help them feed on their favourite fruits.

Geographic Range

Pesquet’s parrots are native to the hill and montane rainforests of West Papua and Papua New Guinea, thriving at elevations between 100 and 1,800 metres. They favour dense, moist forests where they can find plenty of fruiting trees to feed on.

Diet

These parrots are strict frugivores, primarily feasting on figs. However, at times they also enjoy blossoms, flowers, and nectar, showcasing their diverse plant-based diet.

Mating and Reproduction

Pesquet’s parrots are known to lay two eggs in large, hollow trees. While detailed information about their breeding habits in the wild is limited, it is observed that the female incubates the eggs for about 27-31 days, with the male providing food during this period.

Support Pesquet’s Parrots by going vegan and boycotting palm oil in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife

Support the conservation of this species

This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.

Further Information

BirdLife International. 2017. Psittrichas fulgidus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2017: e.T22685025A118772050. https://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2017-3.RLTS.T22685025A118772050.en. Accessed on 03 June 2024.

Pesquet’s Parrot. (2024). In Wikipedia. Retrieved June 3, 2024

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