Pygmy parrot

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Pygmy parrots
"Still life with Pygmy parrot" by Georg Flegel
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Psittaciformes Family: Psittacidae Subfamily: Psittacinae Tribe: Micropsittini Genus: Micropsitta (Pygmy Parrots) Lesson, 1831
Species
Micropsitta pusio Micropsitta keiensis Micropsitta geelvinkiana Micropsitta meeki Micropsitta finschii Micropsitta bruijnii

Pygmy parrots are the smallest members of the parrot family. There are six species of pygmy parrot; all in the genus Micropsitta, which is the only genus in the Micropsittini tribe.

Pygmy Parrots are native to the tropical forests of New Guinea and nearby islands. Pygmy parrots are tiny birds: fast-moving, mostly green with bright highlights. A pygmy parrot spends a good deal of time climbing through foliage, using its large feet and beak, and stiffened tail feathers. At a little over 8 cm in length, the Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot is considerably smaller than a silvereye or a kinglet.

[edit] Taxonomy

FAMILY PSITTACIDAE (true parrots - 2 or 3 subfamilies)

• Subfamily Psittacinae (9 tribes)
  • Tribe Micropsittini (pygmy parrots)
    • Genus Micropsitta (pygmy parrots)
      • Buff-faced Pygmy Parrot, Micropsitta pusio
      • Yellow-capped Pygmy Parrot, Micropsitta keiensis
      • Geelvink Pygmy Parrot, Micropsitta geelvinkiana
      • Meek's Pygmy Parrot, Micropsitta meeki
      • Finsch's Pygmy Parrot, Micropsitta finschii
      • Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot, Micropsitta bruijnii