Bald parrot

The bald parrot (Pyrilia aurantiocephala) or orange-headed parrot is a species of parrot in the family Psittacidae. It was formerly placed in the genus Pionopsitta, which is now monotypic. It is endemic to the east-central Amazon of Brazil. Its natural habitat is tropical moist lowland forests. It is considered near threatened by BirdLife International (and consequently IUCN) due to the widespread deforestation of the Amazon.

Bald parrot
Bald parrot (Pyrilia aurantiocephala)

Near Threatened  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittacidae
Genus: Pyrilia
Species:
P. aurantiocephala
Binomial name
Pyrilia aurantiocephala
(Gaban-Lima, Raposo & Hofling, 2002)
Synonyms
  • Pionopsitta aurantiocephala Gaban-Lima, Raposo & Hofling, 2002
  • Gypopsitta aurantiocephala

This parrot was initially believed to be a juvenile of the vulturine parrot due to the orange coloration of its bald head as opposed to the black of the vulturine. However, when it was discovered that the individuals were sexually mature, they were described as a new species.[2] In reality, juveniles of both species have feathered, greenish heads quite unlike those of the adults.

Description

The bald parrot is a medium-small, overall green parrot with a bald, brownish-orange head.[2] As several other members of the genus Pyrilia, it has red underwing coverts that barely are visible when perched, but highly conspicuous in flight.

References
  1. BirdLife International (2012). "Pyrilia aurantiocephala". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012. Retrieved 26 November 2013.CS1 maint: ref=harv (link)
  2. Ellis, Richard (2004). No Turning Back: The Life and Death of Animal Species. New York: Harper Perennial. pp. 171. ISBN 0-06-055804-0.


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