Brown-backed Parrotlet

Overview

The brown-backed parrotlet (Touit melanonotus), also known as Wied's parrotlet, is a small green parrot native to south-eastern Brazil. It is currently classified as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Identification

• Small green parrot measuring approximately 15 cm or 6 in in length.
• Features a dark brown mantle and back with brown ear coverts.
• Tail has red outer feathers with black tips.
• Young birds can be distinguished by a paler orbital ring and a flesh-coloured cere, compared to the dark grey cere of adults.

Habitat

Found in south-eastern Brazil, ranging from Bahia to southern São Paulo, including Espírito Santo and Rio de Janeiro. It inhabits humid evergreen forests, primarily at lower montane elevations of 500–1,000 m, though occasionally occurring at sea level or up to 1,400 m.

Diet

Diet includes large leguminous seeds, fruits of Rapanea acuminata, Clusia species, and mistletoes. Adults pluck fruit stalks to move them to secure branches where they open the fruit with their bills and extract seeds with their tongues, without using their feet.

Did you know?

The species was resighted in Bahia after a century-long absence, and its rediscovery at Espírito Santo was facilitated by knowledge of its calls. Despite its distribution, it has never been deemed common, even in the 19th century, likely due to its inconspicuous nature and low population densities.