Orange-breasted fig parrot

Orange-breasted fig parrot
	Female
	Male
Conservation status
	; Least Concern (IUCN 3.1)
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Aves
Order:	Psittaciformes
Family:	Psittaculidae
Genus:	Cyclopsitta
Species:	C. gulielmitertii
Binomial name
	Cyclopsitta gulielmitertii; (Schlegel, 1866)

The orange-breasted fig parrot (Cyclopsitta gulielmitertii) is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. It is found in New Guinea and western nearby islands. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Taxonomy and systematics

The orange-breasted fig parrot is one of two species in the genus Cyclopsitta.

The generic name Cyclopsitta is from the mythical Cyclops and the Modern Latin psitta, meaning parrot. The specific epithet gulielmitertii is in honour of William III, King of the Netherlands, and is derived from the Medieval Latin Guilelmus, meaning William, and Latin tertius, meaning third.^[2] Alternative names for the species include William's fig parrot and King of Holland fig parrot.

Subspecies

There are six recognised subspecies of the orange-breasted fig parrot. There is considerable variation between different subspecies, and many have been recognised as distinct species by some authorities.^[3]

C. g. melanogenia – Rosenberg, 1866: Also known as the dusky-cheeked fig parrot.
C. g. gulielmitertii – Schlegel, 1866: The nominate subspecies, it is also known as the blue-fronted fig parrot.
C. g. nigrifrons – Reichenow, 1891: Also known as the black-fronted fig parrot.
C. g. amabilis – Reichenow, 1891: Also known as the creamy-breasted fig parrot.
C. g. suavissima – Sclater, 1876:
C. g. fuscifrons – Salvadori, 1876:

Description

The orange-breasted parrot is primarily green with a black bill, white face with a black patch. Males have orange breasts while females have orange patches on their faces.^[4]

Distribution and habitat

It inhabits lowland forest on New Guinea, the Aru Islands, and Salawati. It is generally found at elevations of 0–300 m (0–984 ft), but can be found up to elevations of 1,100 m (3,600 ft).^[4]

Behaviour and ecology

The orange-breasted fig parrot typically stays in small flocks of 6-10 individuals. It mainly inhabits the canopy, but can also be found in lower stories.^[5]

Diet

Mainly feeds on fig seeds, but also on seeds of Glochidion and Acacia auriculaeformis. It also eats the flower heads of Poikilospermum plants.^[5]

Breeding

It breeds from December to June. The nest is typically a hole made in an arboreal termite mound, but may also be made in epiphytes. In captivity, clutches are usually of 2 eggs, although they may be from 1-3 eggs, and the incubation period is 20-22 days, with a nestling period of 35-42 days.^[5]

Status

The orange-breasted fig parrot is listed as least-concern by the IUCN. The population was estimated to be around 100,000 pairs in the late 1990s.^[5]

References

^ BirdLife International (2016). "Cyclopsitta gulielmitertii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22725355A94891141. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22725355A94891141.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
^ Jobling, James A. (2010). Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. Christopher Helm. pp. 138, 181. ISBN 978-1-4081-3326-2.
^ "Parrots, cockatoos – IOC World Bird List". Retrieved 2021-07-21.
^ ^a ^b Beehler, Bruce M.; Pratt, Thane K. (2016). Birds of New Guinea: Distribution, Taxonomy, and Systematics. Princeton University Press. pp. 260–261. ISBN 978-0-691-16424-3.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d Collar, Nigel; del Hoyo, Josep; Kirwan, Guy M. (2020-03-04), Billerman, Shawn M.; Keeney, Brooke K.; Rodewald, Paul G.; Schulenberg, Thomas S. (eds.), "Orange-breasted Fig-Parrot (Cyclopsitta gulielmitertii)", Birds of the World, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, doi:10.2173/bow.obfpar1.01, retrieved 2021-07-21

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[iucn_status_12_November_2021-1] BirdLife International (2016). "Cyclopsitta gulielmitertii". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22725355A94891141. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22725355A94891141.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.

[2] Jobling, James A. (2010). Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names. Christopher Helm. pp. 138, 181. ISBN 978-1-4081-3326-2.

[3] "Parrots, cockatoos – IOC World Bird List". Retrieved 2021-07-21.

[:0-4] Beehler, Bruce M.; Pratt, Thane K. (2016). Birds of New Guinea: Distribution, Taxonomy, and Systematics. Princeton University Press. pp. 260–261. ISBN 978-0-691-16424-3.

[:1-5] Collar, Nigel; del Hoyo, Josep; Kirwan, Guy M. (2020-03-04), Billerman, Shawn M.; Keeney, Brooke K.; Rodewald, Paul G.; Schulenberg, Thomas S. (eds.), "Orange-breasted Fig-Parrot (Cyclopsitta gulielmitertii)", Birds of the World, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, doi:10.2173/bow.obfpar1.01, retrieved 2021-07-21

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