Desmarest’s Golden-headed or Large Fig Parrots

The Desmarest’s Golden-headed Parrot is also known as Large Fig Parrot, Desmarest’s Lory or Desmarest’s Fig Parrots (Psittaculirostris desmarestii).

Distribution / Range

This parrot is found in the subtropical or tropical moist lowland forest areas and moist montanes in Indonesia and Papua New Guinea – locally up to 4,900 ft (~1,500 m).

Description

This parrot averages 7.2 inches (18 cm ) in length – from bill to the tip of the tail. The plumage of the nominate species, as well as the sub-species, is mainly green with a contrasting fiery-orange forehead and orange-yellow crown and nape. Blue markings are visible on the breast flight feathers. Both males and females look alike.

More Fig Parrot Information

Six well defined geographical races have been identified:

  • Desmarest’s Fig-Parrot, Golden-headed Fig-Parrot (Psittaculirostris desmarestii desmarestii) – Nominate Species … Range: Eastern Regions of the Vogelkop, Western New Guinea
    • Godman’s Fig-Parrots (Psittaculirostris desmarestii godmani)Western golden-headed Fig-Parrots (Psittaculirostris desmarestii occidentalis)Southern Fig-Parrots (Psittaculirostris desmarestii cervicalis)Van Oort’s Fig-Parrots (Psittaculirostris desmarestii intermedia)
    • Wallace’s Fig-Parrots (Psittaculirostris desmarestii blythii)

Breeding

Average clutch size: 2 eggs.

Approx. incubation: 22 days.

Taxonomy

Genus: Scientific: Psittaculirostris … English: Fig-Parrot … Dutch: Wigstaartdwergpapegaaien … German: Keilschwanzzwergpapageien … French: Lorillet

Species: Scientific: Psittaculirostris desmarestii desmarestii … English: Desmarest’s Fig-Parrot, Golden-headed Fig-Parrot … Dutch: Desmarests Vijgpapegaai … German: Desmarest Keilschwanzzwergpapagei … French: Lorillet de Desmarest … CITES II – Endangered Species

Distribution: Eastern Regions of the Vogelkop, Western New Guinea 

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