Rodrigues Parrot

Rodrigues Parrot. Artistic reconstruction

The Rodrigues Parrot ( Necropsittacus rodericanus ) is an extinct species of parrots authentics which was endemic to Mauritius and Rodrigues Mascareneninseln in the Indian Ocean.

Features

The bird resembled the recent Rose-ringed Parakeet, but was larger and stronger. He had a green plumage and, in males, an orange head. The upper wing roots were colored orange. The tail and the wing roots were green. Females were covered with feathers all over the body green. The parrot had a large skull with a powerful beak.

Way of life

From the life of Rodrigues Parrot nothing is handed down.

Scientific description

The way 1708 was noted for the first time on the basis of scientific bones found by François Leguat. The first description was in 1867 as Psittacus rodericanus. 1874 was the transfer to the genus Necropsittacus.

Extinction

Recent sightings were made in the years 1761 and 1763rd Rodrigues Parrot was last documented in 1763 in Mauritius. The main reason of extinction was hunting.