Black-lored Parrot
Encyclopedia
The Black-lored Parrot (Tanygnathus gramineus) also known as the Buru Green Parrot, is a parrot
Endemic to the Indonesia
n island of Buru
. It is a 40 cm (15.7 in) long green parrot
with black lores, and a turquoise crown. Males have red beaks, and females are gray-brown. The singing is high pitched and more protracted as compared to similar species, such as Great-billed Parrot
.
The bird is rare and either fully or partly nocturnal, and therefore is poorly described. It was first reported in the scientific literature by the Dutch ornithologist Hendrik Cornelis Siebers (1890–1949) in 1930. The bird predominantly occupies the central, more elevated part of the island, where it was reported at the settlements of Gunung Tagalago, Wa Temun and Kunturun at elevations of 700–1100 meters (2,300–3,000 ft), as well on the southern lowlands at Fakal, Ehu and Leksula. There was one observation of these parrots near the Kayeli Bay at the eastern shores of Buru. More recent observations were made off the northern (Waflia) and northwestern (Wamlana) shores. The voice of the Black-lored Parrot was frequently heard at Kunturun, mostly 1–7 hours after the sunset, where the locals called the bird "kakatua ol’biru", meaning blue-headed parrot. However, it was caught during the day with slingshot
s in fruit trees suggesting that its activity is not purely nocturnal. Migration is relatively weak and there are only few reports of the parrots flying up and down hill at high altitudes overnight, as judged from their voices.
The population density of Black-lored Parrot is estimated as 1.3–19 birds/km². These birds apparently favor high-altitude forests which on Buru have areas of 1,789 km² above 900 m, and 872 km² above 1,200 m. Those forests are relatively untouched by logging which affects coastal areas. Hunting or capturing of these birds by locals is rather limited, and there is only one report of the locals selling a captured black-lored parrot at a market of the nearby Ambon Island
in 1998.
Nevertheless, owing to the small habitat, the species were listed as vulnerable since 1994 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The establishment of two protected areas on Buru, Gunung Kapalat Mada (1,380 km²) and Waeapo (50 km²), partly aim at preserving the habitat of the Black-lored Parrot.
Parrot
Parrots, also known as psittacines , are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three families: the Psittacidae , the Cacatuidae and the Strigopidae...
Endemic to the Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
n island of Buru
Buru
Buru is the third largest island within Maluku Islands of Malay Archipelago. It lies between the Banda Sea to the south and Seram Sea to the north, west of Ambon and Seram islands. The island belongs to Maluku province of Indonesia and includes the Buru and South Buru regencies...
. It is a 40 cm (15.7 in) long green parrot
Parrot
Parrots, also known as psittacines , are birds of the roughly 372 species in 86 genera that make up the order Psittaciformes, found in most tropical and subtropical regions. The order is subdivided into three families: the Psittacidae , the Cacatuidae and the Strigopidae...
with black lores, and a turquoise crown. Males have red beaks, and females are gray-brown. The singing is high pitched and more protracted as compared to similar species, such as Great-billed Parrot
Great-billed Parrot
The Great-billed Parrot, Tanygnathus megalorynchos, also known as Moluccan Parrot or Island Parrot, is a medium-large, approximately 38 cm long, green parrot with a massive red bill, cream iris, blackish shoulders, olive green back, pale blue rump and yellowish green underparts...
.
The bird is rare and either fully or partly nocturnal, and therefore is poorly described. It was first reported in the scientific literature by the Dutch ornithologist Hendrik Cornelis Siebers (1890–1949) in 1930. The bird predominantly occupies the central, more elevated part of the island, where it was reported at the settlements of Gunung Tagalago, Wa Temun and Kunturun at elevations of 700–1100 meters (2,300–3,000 ft), as well on the southern lowlands at Fakal, Ehu and Leksula. There was one observation of these parrots near the Kayeli Bay at the eastern shores of Buru. More recent observations were made off the northern (Waflia) and northwestern (Wamlana) shores. The voice of the Black-lored Parrot was frequently heard at Kunturun, mostly 1–7 hours after the sunset, where the locals called the bird "kakatua ol’biru", meaning blue-headed parrot. However, it was caught during the day with slingshot
Slingshot
A slingshot, shanghai, flip, bean shooter or catapult is a small hand-powered projectile weapon. The classic form consists of a Y-shaped frame held in the off hand, with two rubber strips attached to the uprights. The other ends of the strips lead back to a pocket which holds the projectile...
s in fruit trees suggesting that its activity is not purely nocturnal. Migration is relatively weak and there are only few reports of the parrots flying up and down hill at high altitudes overnight, as judged from their voices.
The population density of Black-lored Parrot is estimated as 1.3–19 birds/km². These birds apparently favor high-altitude forests which on Buru have areas of 1,789 km² above 900 m, and 872 km² above 1,200 m. Those forests are relatively untouched by logging which affects coastal areas. Hunting or capturing of these birds by locals is rather limited, and there is only one report of the locals selling a captured black-lored parrot at a market of the nearby Ambon Island
Ambon Island
Ambon Island is part of the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. The island has an area of , and is mountainous, well watered, and fertile. Ambon Island consists of 2 territories: The main city and seaport is Ambon , which is also the capital of Maluku province and Maluku Tengah Ambon Island is part of the...
in 1998.
Nevertheless, owing to the small habitat, the species were listed as vulnerable since 1994 by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The establishment of two protected areas on Buru, Gunung Kapalat Mada (1,380 km²) and Waeapo (50 km²), partly aim at preserving the habitat of the Black-lored Parrot.
Further reading
- Juniper & Parr (1998) Parrots: A Guide to Parrots of the World; ISBN 0-300-07453-0.