Lesser Vasa Parrot
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| Lesser Vasa Parrot | ||||||||||||||||
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| Coracopsis nigra (Linnaeus, 1758) |
The Lesser Vasa Parrot or Black Parrot Coracopsis nigra is one of two species of vasa parrots, the other being the Greater Vasa Parrot C. vasa. The subspecies C. n. barklyi, of The Seychelles, is sometimes split as a separate species, the Seychelles Black Parrot.
The Lesser Vasa Parrot was one of the many species originally described by Linnaeus in his 18th century work, Systema Naturae; it was given the name of Psittacus niger,[2] meaning "black parrot". It was later transferred to the new genus Coracopsis in 1826.
Lesser Vasa Parrots inhabit the mangrove swamps and evergreen forests of Madagascar and the Seychelles Islands. They eat seeds, blossoms and fruit - especially berries and mangos.
They build their nests in hollow trees and go through courtship in February. During this time, the female may shed the feathers on her head giving it a yellowish tone. The male's beak may also turn white during this time.
[edit] References
- ^ BirdLife International (2004). Coracopsis nigra. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 09 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- ^ (Latin) Linnaeus, C (1758). Systema naturae per regna tria naturae, secundum classes, ordines, genera, species, cum characteribus, differentiis, synonymis, locis. Tomus I. Editio decima, reformata.. Holmiae. (Laurentii Salvii)., 824.
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