Cyclopsitta desmarestii
The Large Fig Parrot, *Cyclopsitta desmarestii*, is a striking member of the fig-parrot genus, known for its vibrant plumage and specialized diet. Measuring approximately 18 cm (7 inches) in length and weighing between 50-70 grams, this small, stocky parrot is predominantly green with a disproportionately large head and a short tail. Males typically display a vivid red face, often bordered with yellow, and a blue crown and nape, complemented by a yellow spot behind the eye, while females exhi...
Found primarily in lowland tropical and subtropical rainforests, including forest edges and sometimes plantations, from sea level up to around 1,200 meters (4,000 feet) in elevation.
Their diet consists almost exclusively of figs (syconia) from various *Ficus* species, supplemented with berries, nectar, flowers, and insect larvae extracted from within fruits or wood.
The Large Fig Parrot is diurnal, often observed foraging in pairs or small, cohesive family groups, occasionally congregating in larger, loose flocks at abundant food sources. They are exceptionally agile climbers, often hanging upside down to access ripe figs and other fruits high in the canopy....
The Large Fig Parrot is endemic to the island of New Guinea and a few nearby islands, with its distribution fragmented across several subspecies. The nominate subspecies, *C. d. desmarestii*, inhabits the Vogelkop Peninsula and adjacent islands of West Papua (Indonesia). *C. d. blythii* is restri...
Least Concern
- The Large Fig Parrot is one of the smallest parrot species in the world, often fitting in the palm of a hand. - Their scientific name, *Cyclopsitta*, literally means 'round-faced parrot', referencing their distinctive head shape. - They possess a specialized bill perfectly adapted for extractin...