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
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.
