Meek’s Pygmy Parrot


Meek's Pygmy parrot

Meek’s Pygmy Parrot ou yellow-breasted pigmy parrot 10 cm is a species of pygmy parakeet. Head dusky grey-brown with light barring, usually with indistinct yellow superciliary; nape and underparts yellow with weak brown edging, giving vague scaled effect;

back and wings green, with black spotting on median wing-coverts; tail green above, grey and yellow below. Immature undescribed. Race Proxima has a paler head with a distinct yellow superciliary.

Micropsitta meeki Scientific name definitions

  • LC Least Concern
  • Names (14)
  • Subspecies (2)

Systematics History

Editor’s Note: This article requires further editing work to merge existing content into the appropriate Subspecies sections. Please bear with us while this update takes place. 

Meek’s Pygmy Parrot Two subspecies were recognized.

Subspecies

SUBSPECIES

Micropsitta meeki meeki Scientific name definitions

Distribution

Admiralty Is (Manus, Rambutyo, Lou).

SUBSPECIES

Micropsitta meeki proxima Scientific name definitions

Distribution

St Matthias Is (Mussau, Eloaua, Emirau).

Distribution

Editor’s Note: Additional distribution information for this taxon can be found in the ‘Subspecies’ article above. In the future, we will develop a range-wide distribution article.

Habitat

Primary and degraded forest, apparently commoner in latter.

yellow-breasted pigmy parrot

yellow-breasted pigmy parrot

Diet and Foraging

Seen pecking at small warty protuberances, apparently fungi, on the smooth-barked tree; also seen nibbling lichen off the tree trunk.

Sounds and Vocal Behavior

Meek’s Pygmy Parrot Calls comprise high-pitched short notes such as “tsit” or “tsee”. Also brief phrases of 2–4 different notes “see-sit-see-seet”.

Breeding

On Meek’s Pygmy Parrot nest is reported to have been found in arboreal termitarium, only 25 cm above ground; however, the source of this record is unclear. No further information is available.

Conservation Status

Conservation status LC Least Concern Not globally threatened. CITES II. A BirdLife “restricted-range” species. Common on Manus and Lou.


Like it? Share with your friends!