Camiguin Hanging-parrot, or Colasisi,Loriculus camiguinensis
Scientific Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Superfamily: Psuttacoidea
Family: Psittaculidae
Subfamily: Agapomithinae
Genus: :Loriculus
Species: Loriculus philippensis
Trinomial Term: Loriculus Philippensis camiguiensis
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Psittaciformes
Superfamily: Psuttacoidea
Family: Psittaculidae
Subfamily: Agapomithinae
Genus: :Loriculus
Species: Loriculus philippensis
Trinomial Term: Loriculus Philippensis camiguiensis
Description
The Camiguin Hanging Parrot is mostly green with blue throat, face and thighs, and a red tail and red crown. Males and female birds look identical, which is unusual for a hanging parrot native to the Philippines. Only the males of all the other populations living on other islands have a red area on their fronts.
The Camiguin Hanging Parrot is mostly green with blue throat, face and thighs, and a red tail and red crown. Males and female birds look identical, which is unusual for a hanging parrot native to the Philippines. Only the males of all the other populations living on other islands have a red area on their fronts.
Diet / Feeding
Their natural diet consists of nectar, seeds, soft fruits (especially wild bananas), berries and flowers.
Habitat
Camiguin Hanging Parrots live in the interior of mountain forests, secondary vegetation and along the forest edge between 1,000 feet (300 m) up to 4,500 feet (1,350 m). They are also found in coconut plantations, other cultivated areas and near villages.
These small parrots are mostly found alone or in pairs; sometimes in small family groups and occasionally in small flocks.
These shy birds are difficult to spot, as they are well camouflaged in the foliage of the trees and bushes they feed in during the day.
Camiguin Hanging Parrots live in the interior of mountain forests, secondary vegetation and along the forest edge between 1,000 feet (300 m) up to 4,500 feet (1,350 m). They are also found in coconut plantations, other cultivated areas and near villages.
These small parrots are mostly found alone or in pairs; sometimes in small family groups and occasionally in small flocks.
These shy birds are difficult to spot, as they are well camouflaged in the foliage of the trees and bushes they feed in during the day.
Appearance
Most of its body is covered with pale yellow-green feathers, the nape of the neck is olive-green, the throat, legs and undertail feathers are sky-blue, and the top of the head and tail are brilliant scarlet-orange. This species is unique among theLoriculus parrots because it is monomorphic, meaning that male and female plumage patterns appear to be identical. Loriculus parrots primarily feed on fruits, nectar and small insects.
Most of its body is covered with pale yellow-green feathers, the nape of the neck is olive-green, the throat, legs and undertail feathers are sky-blue, and the top of the head and tail are brilliant scarlet-orange. This species is unique among theLoriculus parrots because it is monomorphic, meaning that male and female plumage patterns appear to be identical. Loriculus parrots primarily feed on fruits, nectar and small insects.
Breeding Season:
Probably September-November
Probably September-November
ENDANGERMENT This species is threatened by a naturally limited range, habitat destruction and trapping for the wild bird trade.
Conservation
Camiguin is a tiny volcanic island in northern Mindanao. Despite its area of only 265 square kilometers, Camiguin proves to be a treasure trove of biological diversity. It is home to 54 species of birds and at least 24 species of mammals. According to Heaney, “Knowing that some of these animals are found nowhere else on earth, makes us realize how important this island is in terms of conservation; and for these animals to survive, we’ve got to save the dwindling forests where they live.”
The rain forest of Camiguin indeed requires protection against logging, agriculture and conversion. Its forest cover has dramatically declined to barely 18% and half the island is now covered with coconut plantations. “If no conservation measures are done now, both by local and national authorities, the remaining rain forest in Camiguin would not be able to protect the watersheds - the source of drinking water for the people on the island,” explained Tabaranza. He added, “The forest also protects the coral reefs against excessive runoff and siltation and therefore, if deforestation continues, Camiguin’s fish production would be severely affected.”
Camiguin is a tiny volcanic island in northern Mindanao. Despite its area of only 265 square kilometers, Camiguin proves to be a treasure trove of biological diversity. It is home to 54 species of birds and at least 24 species of mammals. According to Heaney, “Knowing that some of these animals are found nowhere else on earth, makes us realize how important this island is in terms of conservation; and for these animals to survive, we’ve got to save the dwindling forests where they live.”
The rain forest of Camiguin indeed requires protection against logging, agriculture and conversion. Its forest cover has dramatically declined to barely 18% and half the island is now covered with coconut plantations. “If no conservation measures are done now, both by local and national authorities, the remaining rain forest in Camiguin would not be able to protect the watersheds - the source of drinking water for the people on the island,” explained Tabaranza. He added, “The forest also protects the coral reefs against excessive runoff and siltation and therefore, if deforestation continues, Camiguin’s fish production would be severely affected.”
Sources
Jose Tello.
A New Species of Hanging-Parrot (Aves: Psittacidae: Loriculus) from Camiguin Island, Philippines (2006). Tello, JG; Degner JF; Bates, JM; and DE Willard.Fieldiana: Zoology 106 (5 April 2006):49-57.
Press release, The Field Museum of Natural History.
Images courtesy of the Field Museum of Natural History or are linked from the source (click image to be magically transported to the source). Bird photo: Thomas Arndt/Field Museum of Natural History. Map: Duka Bay Resort (linked from source). Island photo: Remko Fortgens (linked from source).
There are approximately 7,000 islands in the Philippines. Camiguin has always been isolated from its neighbors, even when sea levels dropped 120 meters (130 yards) below current levels in the Pleistocene. This isolation allowed speciation to occur undisturbed. But this island ecosystem and its inhabitants are in grave danger from deforestation, the researchers warned in their paper.
Citations:
www.weebly.com
www.avian web.com
scientopia.org
www.parrot.org
services inquirer.net
Jose Tello.
A New Species of Hanging-Parrot (Aves: Psittacidae: Loriculus) from Camiguin Island, Philippines (2006). Tello, JG; Degner JF; Bates, JM; and DE Willard.Fieldiana: Zoology 106 (5 April 2006):49-57.
Press release, The Field Museum of Natural History.
Images courtesy of the Field Museum of Natural History or are linked from the source (click image to be magically transported to the source). Bird photo: Thomas Arndt/Field Museum of Natural History. Map: Duka Bay Resort (linked from source). Island photo: Remko Fortgens (linked from source).
There are approximately 7,000 islands in the Philippines. Camiguin has always been isolated from its neighbors, even when sea levels dropped 120 meters (130 yards) below current levels in the Pleistocene. This isolation allowed speciation to occur undisturbed. But this island ecosystem and its inhabitants are in grave danger from deforestation, the researchers warned in their paper.
Citations:
www.weebly.com
www.avian web.com
scientopia.org
www.parrot.org
services inquirer.net
