General Information

The pygmy parrot is from the subfamily Micropsittinae all belonging to the genus Micropsitta. They are the smallest members of the parrot family.

Physical Description

The Pygmy parrots are tiny birds that have the ability to move very fast. They are mostly green with bright highlights. They use their oversized beaks and stiffened tail feathers to climb through the leaves of trees. The birds are a little over 8 cm in length. The breast and abdomen of the Red-breasted Pygmy are a yellowish-green and variably marked orange-red. The male and female pygmy differs because the female has a duller cheek coloring and lacks the orange-red markings on the abdomen.

Diet

The pygmy parrot eats insects, fungi, larvae, seeds, flower, and fruits.

Habitat

The Red-breasted pygmy lives in the tropical forests of New Guinea and nearby islands. They spend a great deal of their time climbing through the foliage of trees. Pygmy parrots also prefer to live in lowland forests, coconut plantations, and tall secondary vegetation.  

Reproduction

The breeding period is possibly all year long. There are nesting sites found at all times throughout the year. The parrot's nest in termite mounds only a few meters above ground. The entrance is located in the lower part of the mound with a narrow tunnel leading to a chamber where there is no nest but a clutch of two eggs. The female broods during the day and a male brings food. It is possible that a male from another brood helps with the feeding as well.