Lesser vasa parrot

Lesser vasa parrot
Coracopsis nigra in Anjajavy Forest, Madagascar
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Family: Psittaculidae
Genus: Coracopsis
Species:
C. nigra
Binomial name
Coracopsis nigra
Synonyms
  • Psittacus niger Linnaeus, 1758

The lesser vasa parrot or black parrot (Coracopsis nigra) is a black coloured parrot endemic to most of Madagascar.[1] It is one of four species of vasa parrots, the others being the greater vasa parrot (C. vasa), the Seychelles black parrot (C. barklyi), and the Comoros black parrot (C. sibilans). The latter two were formerly considered conspecific with the lesser vasa parrot.[2]

Lesser vasa parrots inhabit the mangrove swamps and evergreen forests of Madagascar. They eat seeds, blossoms and fruit - especially berries and mangos.

They build their nests in tree hollows and go through courtship in February. During this time, the female may shed the feathers on her head giving it a yellowish tone. The male's beak may also turn white during this time.

Hand coloured etching by George Edwards published in 1743
Feeding at the National Aviary, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  1. ^ a b BirdLife International (2016). "Coracopsis nigra". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2016: e.T22727885A94964612. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22727885A94964612.en. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ "Foudia sechellarum Seychelles Fody Foudi des Seychelles", The Birds of Africa: The Malagasy Region, Christopher Helm, 2013, doi:10.5040/9781472927040.0484, ISBN 978-0-7136-6532-1