Micropsitta keiensis
The Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, *Micropsitta keiensis*, is a true marvel of the Australasian rainforest, holding the distinction as one of the world's smallest parrot species. Typically measuring a mere 9-10 cm (3.5-3.9 inches) in length and weighing just 10-15 grams, its diminutive size makes it easily overlooked. Its plumage is predominantly a vibrant green, with a distinct pale yellow or yellowish-green cap that lends the species its common name. The underparts are a softer yellowish, cont...
This species primarily inhabits lowland tropical rainforests, including secondary growth, forest edges, and occasionally mangrove forests or coconut plantations, typically found at elevations up to 150 meters, sometimes higher.
The primary diet consists of epiphytic fungi and lichens scraped from tree bark, supplemented by small bark-dwelling insects and occasionally small seeds or fruits.
Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrots are highly arboreal and diurnal, active from dawn to dusk. They are most often observed in pairs or small family groups of three to six individuals, exhibiting close social bonds as they meticulously clamber over tree trunks and branches. Their foraging strategy is dis...
The Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot is native to the Australasian biogeographical region, with its distribution centered around Western New Guinea and numerous satellite islands. Its primary range includes the Aru Islands and the Kei Islands (Kai Besar, Kai Kecil) in Indonesia. Further west, it is fou...
Least Concern
- The Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot is one of the smallest parrots in the world, often weighing less than a quarter of a common sparrow. - They possess incredibly stiff, reinforced tail feathers which they use as a brace against tree trunks, much like a woodpecker, allowing them to climb vertically ...