Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...

Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot

Micropsitta bruijnii

The Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot, known scientifically as Micropsitta bruijnii, is a diminutive and vibrant member of the Psittaculidae family. This species is the smallest genus of all parrots, measuring a mere 8 cm (3 inches) in length. Its plumage is a testament to nature's palette, with a notable red breast that gives the species its common name.

Identification Tips

When observing these tiny parrots, look for their jerky movements, which are quite distinctive and reminiscent of nuthatches. They have a proclivity for clinging close to the bark of trees, a behaviour that aids in their identification in the wild.

Habitat

The Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot thrives in a variety of forested environments, including boreal forests, subtropical or tropical dry forests, and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests.

Distribution

This species is endemic to the Maluku Islands and Melanesia. Among the pygmy parrots, the Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot is known to inhabit higher altitudes.

Subspecies

There are five recognized subspecies of the Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot, each adapted to different island environments:

  • M. b. bruijnii - mountains of New Guinea
  • M. b. buruensis - Buru
  • M. b. necopinata - New Britain and New Ireland
  • M. b. pileata - Seram
  • M. b. rosea - Bougainville, Guadalcanal, and Kolambangara in the Solomon Islands

Behaviour

These parrots exhibit a unique behaviour, using trees as breeding sites rather than the arboreal termite nests favoured by other pygmy parrots. Their search for food is a meticulous process, as they scour the trees for lichens, which form the bulk of their diet.

Diet and Feeding

Lichens growing on trees are the primary component of their diet.

Conservation status

The IUCN has classified the Red-breasted Pygmy Parrot as Least Concern. However, it is important to note that they are considered common to uncommon, with their populations potentially threatened by deforestation and habitat loss within their limited range. Observations suggest that these birds do not fare well in captivity, thus emphasizing the importance of conserving their natural habitats.

App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

More Old World Parrots

A photo of a Fischer's Lovebird (Agapornis fischeri)

Fischer's Lovebird

Agapornis fischeri
Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Stewart W
Fantastic to be involved
Fantastic to be involved, great for mental health and gets you responding with the Challenges that are to takd part in.
BCHphotography_
Such a great app!
I didn’t think I could enjoy birding more but this app makes it so much better. Some great features and a really great way to share your sightings with your friends or fellow birders nearby or around the world! ❤️
Nicole
Gets me outdoors more
I'm still loving this app. I use it most days & gets me outdoors more. Enjoying watching others progress and photo's, it's improved my wellbeing.... I love this app! I can keep a record of sightings and see what others have seen too.
JCBirding
Just what birding needs
We need more fun in birding, for years it has had a reputation for being up tight and stuffy and only perused by retirees and anoraks. Birda helps change that perception and firmly brings birding into the 21st century! Fun, interactive while still contributing to science and conservation. If you aren’t on it, why not??
Jane N
A great app
Enjoying it immensely and finding it useful too. Recording the different birds and counting them is showing me how the present climate is affecting them all. I've trebled the numbers by planting native hedging. A great app.
Nick S
Work together with community
Been loving using this app to log my bird sightings and work together with community members to identify different birds. I've already learned a lot since I started about a month ago!
Madstherangers
A mordern game changer
Birda is an awesome app, its updated the world of birding to the modern day with a fun and easy to use app. It’s engaging and allows positive interaction with fellow bird lovers!
Patricia L
Very encouraging birding app
Easy to use, fun to see progress and encouraging to receive feedback from other users.
Amylia S
Best app for any birding person!
I love this app!! I am so addicted to it when I saw it had 3 star review I was so sad! The app is awesome!! The best app for any birding person! ❤️
Safira V
Birding and wellbeing app
Birda is an excellent platform to share your love of Birding and is a great tool of encouragement for a Birding Beginner like me. Birda has a very kind and supportive community of Birding enthusiasts. For me BIRDA is not only a BIRDING but also a WELLBEING App.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.