Touit melanonotus
The Brown-backed Parrotlet (Touit melanonotus) is a strikingly small and enigmatic parrot endemic to the highly fragmented Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil. Measuring approximately 14-16 cm (5.5-6.3 inches) in length and weighing around 40-50 grams, its predominantly emerald green plumage provides excellent camouflage within its arboreal habitat. The species earns its name from the distinctive dark brown mantle and back, which contrast sharply with the otherwise vibrant green body. A cr...
This specialized parrotlet inhabits humid primary and mature secondary montane Atlantic Forest, frequently utilizing forest edges and clearings, typically at elevations ranging from 500 to 1,200 meters (1,640-3,940 ft) above sea level.
Primarily frugivorous and granivorous, the Brown-backed Parrotlet exhibits a strong dietary specialization, frequently feeding on fruits and seeds of mistletoe (*Psittacanthus* spp.), as well as various other canopy trees, including palms and arborescent ferns.
The Brown-backed Parrotlet is a diurnal and highly arboreal species, often observed foraging in small, cohesive flocks of 3-20 individuals, though larger groups may form post-breeding. They are generally cryptic and quiet when feeding, moving stealthily through the canopy and subcanopy, making th...
The Brown-backed Parrotlet is strictly endemic to a severely restricted and fragmented range within the Atlantic Forest biome of southeastern Brazil. Its current distribution is primarily confined to the coastal mountain ranges and associated lowlands of the Brazilian states of Espírito Santo, Ri...
Critically Endangered
- The Brown-backed Parrotlet is one of the world's most endangered parrot species, listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. - Its scientific name, *melanonotus*, directly translates from Greek to 'black-backed,' referring to its distinctive dark brown mantle. - This parrotlet is particularly ...