Bismarck hanging parrot facts for kids
The Bismarck hanging parrot or green-fronted hanging parrot (Loriculus tener) is a small, colorful parrot. It belongs to the family Psittaculidae, which includes many types of parrots. This special bird lives only in the forests of the Bismarck Archipelago in Papua New Guinea. Sadly, its home is shrinking because of habitat loss. Some people think it might be a type of orange-fronted hanging parrot.
Quick facts for kids Bismarck hanging parrot |
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| Two females | |
| Conservation status | |
Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Psittaciformes |
| Family: | Psittaculidae |
| Genus: | Loriculus |
| Species: |
L. tener
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| Binomial name | |
| Loriculus tener Sclater, PL, 1877
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Contents
What Does It Look Like?
Both male and female Bismarck hanging parrots are mostly green. They have a bright red patch on their throat. Their beak is black, and their eyes are yellow.
Male vs. Female Parrots
- Male parrots have a yellow-green area on their lower back, called the rump. Their tail is also yellow.
- Female parrots have green cheeks, just like the males. But their cheeks might have a slight blue-green color.
Young Parrots
Young Bismarck hanging parrots look a bit different. They do not have the red throat patch. Their beak and eyes are brown instead of black and yellow.
Where Do They Live?
The Bismarck hanging parrot lives on islands in the Bismarck Archipelago. You can find them in most coastal and lowland areas. They live on New Britain and New Ireland. They usually stay away from the high mountains in the middle of these islands.
Other Islands
These parrots also live on many smaller islands. These include the Duke of York Islands, New Hanover Island, Manne Island, Selapiu Island, Tsoilaunung Island, and Patio Island.
Their Home
They prefer to live in lowland rainforests. They are usually found at heights of up to 500 meters (about 1,640 feet). However, they like areas lower than 200 meters (about 656 feet) the most.
How Do They Behave?
The Bismarck hanging parrot is quite shy. It often stays hidden among the trees. These birds sometimes interact with other types of Loriculus parrots.
Group Life
They are usually found in small groups. A typical group has about 2 to 4 birds. Female parrots usually lay 3 to 4 eggs at a time.
What Do They Eat?
Their diet includes many different wild fruits. They also eat flowers and plant buds. Sometimes, they will eat small insect larva. This gives them extra protein to stay healthy.
Population Size
Experts believe there are about 15,000 to 30,000 Bismarck hanging parrots in the wild.
What Threats Do They Face?
Like many other birds in the Bismarck Archipelago, the Bismarck hanging parrot faces dangers. Their homes are being destroyed.
Main Dangers
- Deforestation: This means forests are being cut down.
- Human settlements: More people are moving into their habitat.
- Mining operations: Digging for minerals can destroy their homes.
- Illegal logging: Trees are being cut down without permission.
Conservation Status
From 2004 to 2018, the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) listed this parrot as Near threatened. This meant it was close to becoming endangered. But in 2021, its status was changed to Least concern. This means it is not currently at high risk of extinction.
 | James Van Der Zee |
 | Alma Thomas |
 | Ellis Wilson |
 | Margaret Taylor-Burroughs |
