Cyclopsitta diophthalma
The Double-eyed Fig Parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma) is a vibrant and diminutive member of the parrot family, renowned as Australia's smallest parrot, though its range extends into New Guinea and surrounding islands. Measuring a mere 13-16 cm (5-6.3 inches) in length and weighing 32-42 grams (1.1-1.5 oz), its compact form is cloaked in brilliant emerald green plumage, perfectly camouflaging it within its rainforest habitat. Distinctive facial markings, which vary significantly across its seve...
Primarily found in tropical and subtropical lowland to lower montane rainforests, gallery forests, and sometimes adjacent ecotones. Prefers dense canopy cover and areas rich in fig trees from sea level up to approximately 1,800 meters.
Specializes in the fruits of fig trees (Ficus spp.), but also consumes berries, seeds, nectar, and occasionally small insects or their larvae, using its robust bill to extract pulp and seeds.
Double-eyed Fig Parrots are largely arboreal and diurnal, spending most of their time high in the forest canopy, often unseen despite their vivid plumage. They forage with remarkable agility, clambering amongst branches and using their specialized bills to extract pulp and seeds from figs and oth...
The Double-eyed Fig Parrot boasts a disjunct but widespread distribution across the Australasian realm, primarily encompassing New Guinea, its associated islands, and northeastern Australia. In New Guinea, it is found throughout the island, including West Papua (Indonesia) and Papua New Guinea, a...
Least Concern
- The Double-eyed Fig Parrot is the smallest parrot species native to Australia. - Its common name refers to the distinctive, often brightly colored, patches of bare skin around its eyes, not literally having two sets of eyes. - It possesses a unique bill adapted to efficiently process figs, allo...