Thick-billed Parrot

Thick-billed Parrot ( Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha )

The Thick-billed Parrot ( Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha ) is a large pigeon, common in the western Mexico Neuweltpapagei. His exact distribution area is located in the Sierra Madre Occidental from Chihuahua to Michoacán. Previously lived the birds in the southwestern United States. A reintroduction attempt has been made since 1986 in the Chiricahua Mountains in Arizona with 50 seized by Customs Arasittichen. Although the animals are bred, there is no stable population could be established. However, a small number of Arasittichen still lives north of the border.

Features

Arasittiche resemble Amazons and how these are of green color. The forehead above the eyes, a strip, the front apex of wing and the springs of the legs are red. The beak is black, the cere gray, a ring around the eye is white-yellow, and the iris yellow-orange. The feet are dark gray to blackish. Arasittiche reach a length of 38 cm.

Young birds show less red, her bend of wing is green, the red headband narrower. Your beak is horn colored, their iris brown.

With its long, pointed wings they have a hawk -like flight pattern. They are fast fliers that can evade even fast raptors such as the goshawk and the peregrine falcon. On long flights, they occupy a V-shaped flight formation, like geese.

Habitat

Arasittiche live in coniferous forests at altitudes between 1,500 and 3,500 meters. In winter they move to deeper and more southern regions. Below 2000 meters, they spend only rarely. The temperatures in their habitat are mostly 10 to 25 ° C. From July to September there are almost daily rain showers. In the forests grow especially pine, but also Douglas firs, poplars and oaks.

Lifestyle and diet

Arasittiche mainly feed on pine seeds, but also live on acorns, corn, fruits, green plants and nectar. Your food you are looking for, both in the trees and on the ground. Depending on the food supply pull the birds far and wide. In groups of several hundred animals can be strong to live in pairs or. They spend the night rather in large groups, while during the day are divided into small groups in search of food. In search of food they put back distances up to 40 km. Couples always fly together with a distance of two to three meters.

Vocalizations

Arasittiche, like many parrots, very loud, ruffreudige animals. Call during the flight. In one group, give one or two birds at intervals of five to ten seconds, gentle or harsh cries of themselves. The same cries resound during foraging, but less often. The calls can be heard up to a distance of 1.5 to three kilometers under favorable conditions. During the mutual preening they give cackling sounds. Also tones that sound like laughter, like " kah ha " and " kah ha ha ha ha ha ," and a sharp " krak krak krak " can be heard.

Reproduction

Arasittiche breed between mid-June and late July at altitudes of 2300-3125 meters in the northern part of their range. Their nest they build in tree cavities, in old woodpecker holes, at altitudes between eight and 28 meters. They enlarge the entrance, and the interior cavity. The average inner diameter is 27 cm. The two to four eggs ( size approx 30.6 x 39.5 mm) are placed on a base of wood chips. The couple sleep together in the cave. The eggs are incubated until hatching of the boys about 28 days. After hatching, the young, the female stays for 20 days together with the boys in the den and is fed together with the boys every three to five hours from the males. After ten weeks, the young birds fledge.

Endangering

The holdings of the Arasittiche have fallen sharply in recent years. The main cause is the deforestation caused by lack of nesting trees.