Pyrilia aurantiocephala
The Bald Parrot, *Pyrilia aurantiocephala*, is a strikingly distinctive medium-sized parrot, measuring about 23 cm (9 inches) in length with an average weight of 120-135 grams. Its most unique feature is its entirely bare, vibrant orange to yellow head, which stands in stark contrast to its predominantly rich green body plumage. A prominent white periocular ring encircles its eye, and a small but noticeable red patch adorns the carpal joint of its wings, with dark blue-green primaries. Taxono...
This species exclusively inhabits lowland primary rainforests, particularly humid terra firme forests, usually found at elevations below 400 meters (1,300 feet).
Primarily frugivorous, its diet consists of a variety of fruits, seeds, and occasional flowers obtained from the forest canopy.
The Bald Parrot is diurnal, spending the majority of its time high in the dense forest canopy, where its cryptic behavior and quiet nature allow it to remain largely unnoticed. It forages deliberately and methodically through the foliage, often in pairs or small family groups of up to ten individ...
The Bald Parrot is endemic to the western Amazon Basin in South America, with its distribution spanning southeastern Colombia, northeastern Ecuador, northeastern Peru, and western Brazil. It is predominantly found within the interfluvial regions of the upper Amazon, particularly between the Rio J...
Vulnerable
- The Bald Parrot was only formally described to science in 1992, making it a relatively recent discovery for ornithologists. - Its scientific name, *Pyrilia aurantiocephala*, literally translates to "fire parrot with an orange head," a perfect description of its most striking feature. - Unlike m...