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Brown-backed Parrotlet

Touit melanonotus

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-22.9644, -43.2522

Field Notes

Description:

***Endangered(IUCN 3.1)***

The Brown-backed Parrotlet (Touit melanonotus) also known as the Black-backed Parrotlet, the Black-eared Parrotlet, and Wied's Parrotlet, is a small (15 cm or 6 in) green parrot found in south-eastern Brazil from Bahia to southern São Paulo. It has a dark brown mantle and back, brown ear coverts, and red outer tail with back tips. They frequent humid forest from 500–1,000 m (1,600–3,300 ft) (occasionally down to sea level), and are mostly found in small flocks of 3–20 birds.

Habitat:

The Brown-backed Parrotlet is confined to south-eastern Brazil (Bahia, Espírito Santo, Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo), but is a vagrant to Rio de Janeiro, and from São Paulo to south to Ilha do Cardoso. They were resighted in Bahia after a century long absence. They were never deemed common, but seen as rather rare, even in the 19th century. Their inconspicuous nature and naturally low densities may contribute to the paucity of records. A resurgence in sightings since the mid-1980s, and their discovery at Espírito Santo, was due to knowledge of their calls.

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PublishedJuly 27, 2013

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