The Greater Vasa Parrots

The Greater Vasa Parrot (Coracopsis vasa) is one of the most unusual parrots in the world; and their popularity has grown amongst aviculturalists and the pet bird owners.

The Greater Vasa Parrot is one of two species of vasa parrot, the other being the Lesser Vasa Parrot,C. nigra. This parrot occurs naturally in portions of the Madagascar dry deciduous forests and surrouding islands in the western Indian Ocean. They were possibly introduced to Réunion.

Vasa Parrots as Pets

Breeding the Vasa Parrots

Desciption:

Greater Vasas are notable in the parrot world for their peculiar appearance, which includes extremely truncated bodies with long necks, and black to grey feathers. Their beaks range in coloration from a light cream to a dark brown with everything in between.

They are approximately 20″ (50 cm) long, with a wing length of 11.77 x 12.68 ins (299 – 322 mm). The plumage is generally a brownish black with a gray tinge to the wings.

Immatures look like adults, but with more brownish plumage and a black iris. They have light colored eye rings which turn brown as they grow older. The beaks of immature vasas start out almost all cream to light brown, but is turning dark brown as they mature.

They are similar to the Black or Lesser Vasa Parrots (nigra), but have paler plumage. The breast and abdomen are more brownish, and the back more greyis.

Interesting Information:

Phyllis Martin and Kim Walde – from the Faunalink Foundation located in Plant City, Florida – are in contact with ornithologists in Madagascar who are working on having the Greater Vasa Parrot reclassified. They feel that the Vasa Parrot actually requires meat in their diet and are, therefore, being thought of as the genetic link between parrots and raptors; and that the Vasa Parrot – unlike other parrots — hunt in the wild.

Breeders / Aviculturists:

• Florida: Phyllis Martin – Faunalink Foundation, Plant City, FL

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Taxonomy:

Species: Scientific: Coracopsis vasa vasa … English: Vasa Parrot … Dutch: Grote Vasa Papegaai … German: Großer Vasapapagei … French: Perroquet Vasa

Sub-Species / Races Including Nominate: drougardi, vasa, comorensis

CITES II – Endangered Species … Distribution: Eastern Madagascar

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Sub-species:

Comoro Vasa Parrots:

Species: Scientific: Coracopsis vasa comorensis … English: Comoro Vasa Parrot … Dutch: Komoren Vasa Papegaai … German: Komoren Vasapapagei … French: Perroquet Vasa d’ile Comoro

Description: As Comoro Little Vasa Parrot (vasa), but with paler plumage; under tail-coverts brown; smaller. … Length: 45 cm (18 ins), wing length 256 – 295 mm (10 – 11.5 ins)

CITES II – Endangered Species

Distribution: Grand Comoro, Moheli, Anjouan in the Comoro Islands

Western Vasa Parrots:

Species: Scientific: Coracopsis vasa drouhardi … English: Western Vasa Parrot … Dutch: Westelijke Vasa Papegaai … German: Westlicher Grosser Vasapapagei … French: Perroquet Vasa de Drouhard

Description: As Comoro Little Vasa Parrots (vasa), but generally with paler plumage; abdomen lighter; under tail-coverts whitish; smaller. … Length: 45 cm (18 ins), wing length 275 – 299 mm (10.8 – 11.8 ins)

CITES II – Endangered Species

Distribution: Western Madagascar

Vasa Parrots: Info and Species … Vasa Parrots as Pets … Breeding the Vasa Parrot