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Fuertes Parrot
Hapalopsittaca fuertesi
4.80283, -77.6558
Field Notes
Description:
Also known as the Indigo-winged Parrot. This is a critically endangered endemic species to Colombia. Length is 24cm, essentially dull green, face and fore-crown yellow green, rear crown blue. Breast a yellow/olive, wings various shades of green with red shoulder and blue secondary coverts and dark blue primaries and tail. there is also a red patch on the lower belly but hard to see. Bill is grey and eyes are dark.
Habitat:
Very range restricted on the western side of the Central Andes of Colombia in high, mature cloud forest from approx 2,600 - 3,600m. These birds seen at 3,100m. These birds have a specialized diet mainly consisting of mistletoe berries. Mainly found within a now protected area made up of several reserves known as 'The Threatened Parrot Corridor'. As per Project Noah protocol for CR endangered species, the exact location for this spotting has been modified.
Notes:
This species has an amazing story. Known from a specimen collected in 1911, was thought to be extinct for nearly 100 years. It was rediscovered in 2002 when about 60 birds were found in a fragment of mountain cloud forest. A huge gold seam was discovered at a similar time adjacent to the parrot discovery. In 2009 the 'Parrot Corridor' reserve area was established and a small area of forest next to the mining was also purchased and protected. Since then a great amount of work has been done to protect the small amount of habitat and encourage breeding by use of nest boxes. These birds appear not to thrive in captivity. Estimated global numbers have risen to between 150-250 individuals but the threat from habitat destruction (mainly from cattle grazing) still remains. Ref: Bird Life International and Rainforest Trust (this one well worth a read).
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