The Pesquet's Parrot, Psittrichas fulgidus also known as Vulturine Parrot is a black and scarlet plumaged parrot, up to 46cm in body length, that inhabits and endemic to New Guinea. The head is bare and small, with a long pincer-like black beak.

It feeds mainly on figs and soft fruits. This bird has been observed to get their foods from droppings of cassowary, which is full of undigested seeds of fruit. The bare part of head is presumably an adaption for its feeding habits.

In flight, this parrot resembles more of a vulture with its direct, soaring flight.

The Pesquet's Parrot is evaluated as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. It is listed on Appendix II of CITES.

References

• Database entry includes a range map, a brief justification of why this species is vulnerable, and the criteria used

External links

• BirdLife Species Factsheet
• IUCN Red List
• Red Data Book

Psittrichadini