Micropsitta geelvinkiana
The Geelvink Pygmy Parrot, Micropsitta geelvinkiana, is a truly miniature marvel, often hailed as one of the world's smallest parrot species, measuring a mere 9 cm (3.5 inches) in length and weighing just 10-15 grams. Its plumage is predominantly vibrant green, contrasting with a striking blue crown, a yellowish-orange cheek patch, and bright red underwing-coverts. A distinctive field mark is its stiff, pointed tail feathers, which it uses as a prop while climbing, a trait common to all pygmy...
This pygmy parrot inhabits tropical lowland and hill forests, including primary and secondary growth, and coastal forests, typically found at elevations up to 800 meters.
Their diet primarily consists of lichens, fungi, and mosses, which they meticulously glean from tree bark, supplemented by small insects and their larvae found within these growths.
Geelvink Pygmy Parrots are diurnal, spending their days actively foraging and their nights roosting communally or in small family groups. They exhibit a unique foraging strategy, clambering up tree trunks and branches using their stiff tail feathers as a prop, meticulously prying off lichens, mos...
The Geelvink Pygmy Parrot is endemic to two islands in Cenderawasih Bay (formerly Geelvink Bay), West Papua, Indonesia: Biak and Numfor. Two recognized subspecies exist: *Micropsitta geelvinkiana geelvinkiana* is found exclusively on Numfor Island, while *Micropsitta geelvinkiana misoriensis* inh...
Least Concern
- The Geelvink Pygmy Parrot is one of the smallest parrot species in the world, measuring roughly the size of a human finger. - Its scientific name, 'geelvinkiana', refers to Geelvink Bay (now Cenderawasih Bay), where its native islands are located. - They use their unusually stiff, spine-tipped ...