The Vasa Parrots, Coracopsis, are two species of parrot which are endemic to Madagascar and other islands in the western Indian Ocean.
The popularity of the vasa parrot, both in aviculture and the pet trade, has grown immensly over the last years.
Major Sub-species:
Description:
They are notable in the parrot world for their peculiar appearance, which includes extremely truncated bodies with long necks, black to grey feathers and a pink beak.
The skin of both female and male Vasas turns yellow during the breeding season, and there is often feather loss. However in females the feather loss can result in complete baldness.
Another interesting feature of the females breeding physiology is when her feathers, which are usually black to grey, turn brown without a molt. This is caused by the redistribution of melanin, which is the pigment that makes the Vasas’ feathers black.
Vasa parrots infected with the debilitating Psittacine beak and feather disease are known to turn white, which, during the 1970s when the first wave of birds were exported into Europe and America, resulted in them being mistakenly advertised by importers as albinos.
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 3
Taxonomy:
Class: Aves … Order: Psittaciformes … Family: Psittacidae … Subfamily: Psittacinae … Genus: Scientific: Coracopsis … English: Vasa Parrots … Dutch: Vasapapegaaien … German: Vasapapageien … French: Perroquet de Vasa … CITES II: Endangered Species
Sub-species:
Bangs’ Black Parrots:
Species: Scientific: Coracopsis nigra libs … English: Bangs’ Black Parrot … Dutch: Bangs’ Vasa Papegaai … German: Bangs Vasapapagei … French: Perroquet gris de Bangs
Description: As Black or Lesser Vasa Parrots (nigra), but with paler plumage; breast and abdomen more brownish, back more greyish … Length: 35 cm (13.5 ins), wing length 220 – 260 mm (8.5 – 10 ins)
CITES II– Endangered Species … Distribution: Inhabits the drier western region of Madagascar
Black or Lesser Vasa Parrots
Comoro Little Vasa Parrots aka Lesser Comoro Vasa Parrots:
Species: Scientific: Coracopsis nigra sibilans … English: Comoro Little Vasa Parrot … Dutch: Kleine Komoren Vasa Papegaai … German: Kleiner Komoren Vasapapagei … French: Perroquet d’ile Comoren
Description: As Black or Lesser Vasa Parrots (nigra), but generally with lighter brownish plumage; outer webs of primaries brownish; bill appears more blackish than other sub-species because of contrast with brown plumage; smaller … Length: 30 cm (12 ins), wing length 185 – 195 mm (7.3 – 7.7 ins)
CITES II – Endangered Species … Distribution: Grand Comoro, Anjouan in the Comoro Islands
Comoro Vasa Parrots
Greater Vasa ParrotsÂ
Seychelles Little Vasa Parrots aka Praslin Parrots:
Species: Scientific: Coracopsis nigra barklyi … English: Praslin Parrot, Seychelles Little Vasa Parrot … Dutch: Seychellen Vasa Papegaai … German: Seychellen Vasapapagei … French: Perroquet d’ile Praslin
Description: As Comoro Little Vasa Parrots (sibilans), but outer webs of primaries with greyish-blue tinge; faint pale brownish patches to crown; bill brownish-grey; smaller than nominate form … Length: 30 cm (12 ins), wing length 175 – 205 mm (7 – 8 ins)
CITES II – Endangered Species … Distribution: Praslin Island, Seychelles
