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Forpus

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Forpus
Malecobalt-rumped parrotlet(Forpus xanthopterygius)
Scientific classificationEdit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Subfamily: Arinae
Tribe: Forpini
Genus: Forpus
Boie, F,1858
Type species
Psittacus passerinus(green-rumped parrotlet)
Species

9; see text

Forpusis a genus ofneotropical parrotsin the familyPsittacidae.It is the only genus in theForpinitribe of the subfamilyArinae.

Taxonomy

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The genusForpuswas introduced in 1858 by the German zoologistFriedrich Boie.[1]Thetype specieswas subsequently designated as thegreen-rumped parrotlet.[2][3]The etymology of the genus name is unknown.[4]

The genus contains nine species:[5]

  • Mexican parrotlet(Forpus cyanopygius)
    • Grayson's parrotlet or Tres Marias parrotlet (Forpus cyanopygius insularis)
  • Green-rumped parrotlet(Forpus passerinus)
    • Colombian green-rumped parrotlet or Rio Hacha parrotlet (Forpus passerinus cyanophanes)
    • Trinidad green-rumped parrotlet or Venezuelan parrotlet (Forpus passerinus viridissimus)
    • Roraima green-rumped parrotlet or Schlegel's parrotlet (Forpus passerinus cyanochlorus)
    • Amazon green-rumped parrotlet or delicate parrotlet or Santarem passerine parrotlet (Forpus passerinus deliciosus)
  • Cobalt-rumped parrotlet(Forpus xanthopterygius)
    • Salvadori's cobalt-rumped parrotlet (Forpus xanthopterygius flavescens)
    • Hellmayr's cobalt-rumped parrotlet (Forpus xanthopterygius flavissimus)
  • Turquoise-winged parrotlet(Forpus spengeli)
  • Riparian parrotlet(Forpus crassirostris)
  • Spectacled parrotlet(Forpus conspicillatus)
    • Cauca spectacled parrotlet (Forpus conspicillatus caucae)
    • Venezuelan spectacled parrotlet (Forpus conspicillatus metae)
  • Dusky-billed parrotletor Sclater's parrotlet (Forpus modestus)
    • Forpus modestus sclateri
  • Pacific parrotlet(Forpus coelestis)
  • Yellow-faced parrotlet(Forpus xanthops)

Description

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Because of similarities to their larger parrot relatives and their small size,Forpusbirds are often calledparrotlets.

Forpusparrotlets are relatively small birds. Species range between 11–14.5 centimetres (4.3–5.7 in)[6][7]long and typically weigh 30–35 grams (1.1–1.2 oz).[7][8]

Forpusspecies aresexually dimorphic.Most males are bright green or yellow-green, with bright blue markings on their wings, tails, rumps, and heads (location varies between species). Females are duller green with more yellow-green markings and have few or no blue feathers.Forpusparrotlets have dark brown eyes with light peach or tan feet and beaks (with the exception of thedusky-billed parrotlet,which has a darker beak and feet). Like all parrots,Forpusspecies exhibitzygodactyly,meaning two toes face forwards and two face backwards.

Distribution and habitat

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AllForpusspecies are found inLatin,Central,orSouth America,and some species have been introduced on variousCaribbeanislands.Mexican parrotletsare found the furthest north, in westernMexico,[9]whilecobalt-rumped parrotletshave the southernmost range, extending into southernBrazilandArgentina.[10]All other species are found between these two ranges, mostly inPeru,Ecuador,andColombia.

Forpusspecies tend to live in subtropical and tropical dry forests, but are also found inshrublands,savannas,and heavilydeforestedor degraded forest areas. They are not found at altitudes higher than 1,800 metres (5,900 ft),[11]though most species remain far below.

Forpusspecies arenon-migratory,though some populations ofcobalt-rumped parrotletsare known to locally migrate to follow ripening fruit and budding trends. Some cobalt-rumped parrotlet populations are also known to bealtitudinal migrants.[12]

Two malePacific parrotlets(Forpus coelestis)

Behavior

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Social

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Forpusspecies often flock in groups of up to 100 individuals to socialize and feed; they are verygregarious.They have complex social relationships, and many species (especiallyspectacled parrotlets) have individually specific greeting calls (sometimes called "names") to recognize one another.[13]

Reproduction

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Most species nest in small holes or openings in trees, fenceposts, or similar objects. They have been known to use old nests created by various unrelated species. Clutch sizes range from 3-7 small, white, elliptical or spherical eggs.[8]Most species breed between March and November, but some species' breeding habits are not well enough studied to know this for sure.

Diet

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The typicalForpusdiet includes berries and fruits, seeds, leaves, flowers, buds, and other plant matter, possibly including nectar. Some species have been observed licking or eating clay from naturally-occurring clay mounds, a behavior which is thought to serve a similar purpose as asalt lick:the clay is a reliable source ofminerals,such ascalcium,that are important for birds to remain healthy.

Conservation

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MostForpusspecies are listed asLeast Concernby theIUCN Red List,with the exception of theMexican parrotlet,which isNear Threatenedand has a decreasing population, and theyellow-faced parrotlet,which isVulnerableand has a stable population.[14]This is because of increases in the illegalparrot trade- birds are captured and sold as pets inMexico,theU.S.,and other countries.[8]This goes directly against theWild Bird Conservation Act,CITES,and other species protectionlegislation.[15]

Every other species ofForpusparrotlet is believed to have stable populations. Some species, such as thespectacled parrotlet,are even believed to be increasing in population.[16]This is because parrotlets prefer low-density woodland or open spaces rather than densely forested areas, anddeforestationhas increased in many of their ranges.

Across allForpusranges, there are many conservation sites orprotected areasalready in place.

Aviculture

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Spectacled parrotlet(Forpus conspicillatus)

Many species in the genusForpusare commonly kept as pets. These parrotlets are very social and may show signs ofdepressionif kept alone, unless they have frequent contact with humans.Forpusparrots, especially males, can be very loud and need space to fly and roam. Like any other parrot, they usually spend their time socializing with their partner. These parrotlets enjoy chewing on calcium treats, wood (bark,e.g.corkbark), andporous rocks.Due to their curiosity, exposure to toxic material like plastic,toxic plants,and chemically treated objects should be strictly avoided, especiallygalvanizedwires (falsely used as cheap material foraviaries) which have led to many cases oftoxidrome.

Forpusparrotlets are not easy to breed as they are extremely aggressive and will sometimes kill or severely maim their partners.

Mexican, spectacled, and yellow-faced parrotlets are rarer in the U.S. but are more common as pets in other countries.Dusky-billed parrotlets,more commonly known as Sclater's parrotlets, are extremely rare and are only found in captivity in Europe. SomeForpusspecies, such as thePacific parrotlet,have several color mutations that are selectively bred for as pets.

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References

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  1. ^Boie, Friedrich(1858)."Bemerkungen, Beobachtungen und Anfragen".Journal für Ornithologie(in German).6(35): 359–366 [363].Bibcode:1858JOrni...6..359B.doi:10.1007/BF02010060.S2CID46322351.
  2. ^Hellmayr, Carl Eduard(1929).Catalogue of Birds of the Americas and the Adjacent Islands in Field Museum of Natural History.Field Museum Natural History Publication 255. Zoological Series. Volume 12. Vol. Part 18: A Contribution to the Ornithology of Northeastern Brazil. p. 446, footnote 2.
  3. ^Peters, James Lee,ed. (1937).Check-List of Birds of the World.Vol. 3. Cambridge, Massachusetts: Harvard University Press. p. 202.
  4. ^Jobling, James A. (2010).The Helm Dictionary of Scientific Bird Names.London: Christopher Helm. p. 163.ISBN978-1-4081-2501-4.
  5. ^Gill, Frank;Donsker, David;Rasmussen, Pamela,eds. (January 2022)."Parrots, cockatoos".IOC World Bird List Version 12.1.International Ornithologists' Union.Retrieved19 March2022.
  6. ^"Celestial or Pacific Parrotlet, Lesson's Parrotlet, Forpus coelestis | Beauty of Birds".beautyofbirds.Retrieved2019-03-20.
  7. ^ab"Yellow-faced Parrotlet (Forpus xanthops) | Parrot Encyclopedia".parrots.org.Retrieved2019-03-20.
  8. ^abc"Mexican Parrotlet (Forpus cyanopygius) | Parrot Encyclopedia".parrots.org.Retrieved2019-03-18.
  9. ^"Mexican Parrotlet - eBird".ebird.org.Retrieved2019-03-16.
  10. ^"Blue-winged Parrotlet - eBird".ebird.org.Retrieved2019-03-16.
  11. ^"Green-rumped Parrotlet (Forpus passerinus) | Parrot Encyclopedia".parrots.org.Retrieved2019-03-18.
  12. ^"Blue-winged Parrotlet - Introduction | Neotropical Birds Online".neotropical.birds.cornell.edu.Retrieved2019-04-05.
  13. ^Wanker, R.; Sugama, Y.; Prinage, S. (July 2005). "Vocal labelling of family members in spectacled parrotlets, Forpus conspicillatus".Animal Behaviour.70:111–118.doi:10.1016/j.anbehav.2004.09.022.S2CID53158653.
  14. ^"The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.Retrieved2019-03-18.
  15. ^"Wild Bird Conservation Act".fws.gov.Retrieved2019-03-18.
  16. ^"The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species".IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.Retrieved2019-03-18.
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