The Parrot and the Parrotlet

Faraaz Abdool, photographer and birder, tells us about the members of the parrot family that are native to Tobago. All photos courtesy Faraaz Abdool

In this season, look up into the immortelles blooming on the hills, you are sure to see these parrots. Some Orange-winged Parrots have brown faces. Some theorize it is a variant of the plumage, others are of the view that the brown is a result of pollen staining while eating immortelle flowers.

 

Widespread across tropical and subtropical regions around the world, members of the parrot family have charmed humans with their vivid coloration, extraordinary intelligence and charismatic personalities. Whether we’re speaking of cockatoos, lorikeets, macaws or budgerigars, members of this family are immensely popular and immediately recognizable.

It is theorized that ancient parrots have been present on the earth for up to 66 million years. Indeed, this would mean that our feathered friends were present during the major extinction event that marked the end of the Cretaceous period; the end of the reign of the dinosaurs. It is universally accepted that they have at least been around since the Eocene, 50 million years ago. After surviving various mass extinction events, even coexisting with the fearsome giant snake Titanoboa, currently in the Anthropocene they are the most exploited family of birds.  

Affected by the usual pressures of habitat loss and poaching, many species of parrots are trapped and traded (often illegally) for the pet trade. For the most part, these birds are monogamous and  dependent upon social bonding and therefore suffer greatly during any process that threatens or destroys these bonds. Many prospective pet owners fail to realize the level of care and attention that is required – on par with what is needed by a three year old child – and may either release wantonly or incarcerate the bird entirely. The release of formerly caged species in areas where they have not been historically present leads to alien populations forming: for example Monk Parakeets in Florida, Rose-ringed Parakeets in London or Yellow-crowned Parrots in Trinidad.

On Tobago only two species of parrots have been recorded, both of which are native to the island. Both are vocal, gregarious birds that are found in abundance across the island. Sadly, they are also commonly trapped and sold as pets – even though they are extremely easy to view and enjoy in their wild and free state. 

Orange-winged Parrots always have a partner in flight.

An Orange-winged Parrot blends well into the various shades of green in the rainforest.

The larger and more conspicuous of the two is the Orange-winged Parrot, or Orange-winged Amazon. At dawn and dusk, huge flocks of these birds make the commute between their roosting and feeding areas. No matter how large the main flock is, it always seems as if it is made up of many pairs of birds as opposed to many individuals. This is no trick of the eye, as Orange-winged Parrots do tend to fly with a partner. It is extremely rare to see a single bird.  

A pair of Orange-winged Parrots at a possible nesting location.

Orange-winged Parrots have a reputation of being pests to various crops such as cocoa. This claim may be unfounded, as they have only been known to turn to cocoa during times of unnatural food scarcity. Generally, they stick to their diet of palm fruits, hog plums, flowers and seeds. Early in the year, they can often be found decorating mountain immortelle trees in great numbers, feeding on the fresh orange flowers. They are easiest to detect on bare branches, as their bright green plumage usually blends seamlessly with the greens of the forest. This, coupled with their deliberate manner of locomotion while perched makes them effectively melt into their environment.

Their nesting period coincides with the dry season – essential as they lay eggs and raise their young in holes in dead palm trees that often have their tops broken off, underscoring the importance of trees we may think of as “useless”.

The only other member of this family that is found on Tobago is the adorable and endearing Green-rumped Parrotlet. It is incorrectly referred to as a “parakeet”, true parakeets are larger than parrotlets – but smaller than parrots. Most species of parakeets also have relatively long tails that make them resemble miniature macaws.

Green-rumped Parrotlets, female (left) and male (right)

This cute-as-a-button species is also quite gregarious, most often found in small flocks of around ten birds feeding and flying together. While feeding on a variety of seeds, they do maintain contact by chattering softly. Theoretically it may seem that this chattering would make them easier to detect but just like their larger relatives in Tobago, bright green plumage serves as excellent camouflage in their green surroundings.

Look closely to detect certain subtle differences between individuals, however. Female Green-rumped Parrotlets have a lime-green tinge to their feathers with little variation throughout. Males on the other hand have an ever-so-slightly darker face, as well as bright blue feathers on the leading edge of their wings.

The leading edge of the wings of a male Green-rumped Parrotlet is brilliant blue.

Female Green-rumped Parrotlets lack the blue edging to their wings. 

Green-rumped Parrotlets also nest in cavities in dead trees, but their diminutive size allows them to be flexible in their choice of location, and they often readily take to man-made structures like open pipes or nest boxes. Seeing a single pair of birds as opposed to a small group is usually indicative of breeding tendencies. Sadly, this species is also targeted for the pet trade and can be seen brazenly displayed for sale in some pet stores.

We are fortunate to still be blessed with the abundance of these two members of an alluring species; both Green-rumped Parrotlets and Orange-winged Parrots are resilient in their own right, but at the same time need our cooperation in order to survive in the long term. Let us strive to avoid spraying weedicide on overgrown fields for this is where Green-rumped Parrotlets would find much of their food. Let us allow a dying Royal Palm to run its course, for it is this dead tree that Orange-winged Parrots may find a home to welcome new life into the world. Moreover, let us let nature be. 

Green-rumped Parrotlets are notoriously difficult to locate among the leaves. A single bird is in this photo, to the top right of the bush. (All photos courtesy Faraaz Abdool)