Coxen's Fig-Parrot

Coxen's Fig-Parrot
Coxen’s Fig-Parrot
Conservation status
Endangered
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Tribe: Cyclopsittacini
Genus: Cyclopsitta
Species: C. diophthalma
Subspecies: C. d. coxeni
Trinomial name
Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni
Gould, 1867[1]
Synonyms
  • Cyclopsitta coxeni
  • Opopsitta coxeni

Coxen's Fig-Parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni), also known as the Blue-browed, Red-faced or Southern Fig-Parrot or Lorilet, is one of the smallest and least known Australian parrots. It is a highly endangered subspecies of the Double-eyed Fig-Parrot. It was named by John Gould after his brother-in-law Charles Coxen.

Contents

Description

Coxen's Fig-Parrot is about 15–16 cm long, larger than the other subspecies of Double-eyed Fig-Parrot. Its very short tail gives it a top-heavy, big-headed appearance. It is predominantly bright yellowish-green in colour with a blue forehead surrounded by a few scattered red feathers, and with orange-red cheeks bordered below by a variable mauve-blue band. The female is similar in appearance to the male, though slightly duller in colouration. Its flight is rapid and direct, generally above the forest canopy. It can be distinguished from Little and Musk Lorikeets by its dumpier build, more rounded wings and seemingly tail-less silhouette. In flight its call is harsher and more staccato than that of the Little Lorikeet. However, because it is small, rare, green, silent when feeding and tends to stay high in the foliage of the forest canopy, it is very seldom seen.[2][3][4]

Distribution and habitat

The subspecies is restricted to south-eastern Queensland and north-eastern New South Wales, and used to range from Gympie and the Blackall Range, and possibly the Maryborough district, in the north, to the Macleay River in the south, and to the Bunya Mountains and Koreelah Range in the west. There are also unconfirmed reports from outside its accepted former range. It inhabits lowland and foothill subtropical rainforest with fig trees, occasionally visiting fruit trees in gardens and farmland.[5]

Behaviour

Breeding

As with other subspecies of the Double-eyed Fig-Parrot, Coxen's Fig-Parrot excavates its own nesting hollow in decaying wood of living or dead forest trees. Although signs of nest excavating have been found, no active nests have been recorded.[6]

Feeding

Coxen's Fig-Parrot feeds mainly on figs and other fleshy fruits. It has also been recorded feeding on the nectar of the Silky Oak.[7] Other subspecies are known to consume insect larvae as well.[8]

Status and conservation

Coxen's fig-parrot is listed as endangered by both the Queensland and New South Wales state governments as well as under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999.[9] The main cause of the decline in range and population is the clearing of lowland rainforests for agriculture and housing, as well as logging of rainforest trees.[10] In 2000 it was estimated that there are no more than 100 mature individuals of the subspecies left, with the population severely fragmented and continuing to decline.[11]

Notes

  1. ^ Gould, p.182.
  2. ^ Forshaw & Cooper, pp.130 and 132.
  3. ^ Coxen’s Fig-Parrot Recovery Team, p.7.
  4. ^ Irby, p.276.
  5. ^ Forshaw & Cooper, pp.130-131.
  6. ^ Coxen’s Fig-Parrot Recovery Team, pp.11-12 and 15.
  7. ^ Irby, p.276.
  8. ^ Coxen’s Fig-Parrot Recovery Team, p.14.
  9. ^ Coxen's Fig-Parrot Recovery Team, p.5.
  10. ^ Coxen’s Fig-Parrot Recovery Team, pp.15-16.
  11. ^ Garnett & Crowley, p.308.

References

  • Coxen's Fig-Parrot Recovery Team. (2001). Coxen’s fig-parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma coxeni) recovery plan 2001-2005. Report to Environment Australia, Canberra. Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service: Brisbane.[1]
  • Forshaw, Joseph M.; & Cooper, William T. (1981). Australian Parrots. (2nd revised edition). Lansdowne Editions: Melbourne. ISBN 0-7018-1035-1
  • Garnett, Stephen T.; & Crowley, Gabriel M. (2000). The Action Plan for Australian Birds 2000. Environment Australia: Canberra. ISBN 0-642-54683-5 [2]
  • Gould, J. (1867). Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London.
  • Irby, Florence M. (1930). Coxen's Fig-Parrot. Emu 29: 276-277.

External links


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