Maroon-fronted parrot

Maroon-fronted parrot
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Superfamily: Psittacoidea
Family: Psittacidae
Subfamily: Arinae
Tribe: Arini
Genus: Rhynchopsitta
Species: R. terrisi
Binomial name
Rhynchopsitta terrisi
R.T. Moore, 1947

The maroon-fronted parrot (Rhynchopsitta terrisi) is a large, macaw-like parrot. It is dark green with a dark red shoulder and a maroon forehead and eye-stripe. Its underside of the wings and tail appear to be black when it is in flight. It makes a high, rolling cr-a ak sound. Groups sound similar to the acorn woodpecker if they are heard from a distance.

The species is endemic to northeast Mexico, where only about 2500–3000 birds survive in the wild.

Taxonomy

terrisi is one of two extant and one extinct species of genus Rhynchopsitta of thick-billed parrots.

Description

The maroon-fronted parrot is a large mostly green parrot which measures 40–45 cm (16–18 in) in length and weighs 390–470 g (14–17 oz).[2][3] The adults have a dark maroon brow which extends over the rim of bare yellow skin that surrounds the eyes. They have a brighter red at the bend of the wing. The tail is long and pointed. The underside of the wings are blackish. The juvenile has a pale beak, whitish eye-rings, and lack the dark maroon stripe over each eye.[4]

Distribution and habitat

Maroon-fronted parrots live in mature pine, mixed conifer, and pine-oak forests from 2000 to 3500 meters. This bird is endemic to the Sierra Madre Oriental in Nuevo León, Coahuila and Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Behaviour

They nest in limestone cliffs near moving water in large colonies. Breeding coincides with the fruition of pines, which is its main food source. They lay one to three eggs in July and the juveniles fledge around November. They migrate over short distances seasonally.

Conservation

This bird is considered endangered due to overgrazing and habitat destruction.[1]

The ITESM Campus Monterrey carry out environmental education programs and science research in Cumbres de Monterrey National Park and Sierra de Arteaga for the conservation of maroon-fronted parrots.

References

  1. 1 2 BirdLife International (2013). "Rhynchopsitta terrisi". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2013.2. International Union for Conservation of Nature. Retrieved 26 November 2013.
  2. ↑ CRC Handbook of Avian Body Masses by John B. Dunning Jr. (Editor). CRC Press (1992), ISBN 978-0-8493-4258-5.
  3. ↑ (2011).
  4. ↑ BirdLife Species Factsheet.
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