| Manu parrotlet | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Psittaciformes |
| Family: | Psittacidae |
| Genus: | Nannopsittaca |
| Species: | N. dachilleae |
| Binomial name | |
| Nannopsittaca dachilleae | |
 | |
| Synonyms | |
Forpus dachilleae | |
TheManu parrotlet (Nannopsittaca dachilleae) orAmazonian parrotlet is a species ofparrotlet native to the westernAmazon basin, from southernPeru to northwestBolivia. It is found in lowland forests near bamboo and rivers.
It is classified asLeast Concern by theIUCN.[1]
The Manu parrotlet was discovered in 1985 by John P. O’Neill,Charles A. Munn, and Irma Franke while exploring theManú River in theManú National Park in eastern Peru.[2] The new species was named after the scientists' colleague, conservationist andjournalistBarbara D’Achille.[2][3]
The generic name is from Latinnānus dwarf, from Greeknanos dwarf + Latinpsittaca feminine ofpsittacus parrot, from Greekpsittakos parrot;dachilleae a Latinized form of the surname d'Achille, hence the "dwarf parrot of d'Achille".[citation needed]
The upper parts, nape, auriculars, dorsum, tertials, wing covers, rump, upper-tail, and rectrices are bright green. The forehead, anterior crown, and ores are a pale blue. The malar area, breast, belly, and under-tail are a paler more yellowish green.[2] No sexual dimorphism has been described as yet.[citation needed]
The bird was consistently measured to be in flocks of anywhere from 5 to 12 birds by the researchers who described it. Flocks make sounds similar to squawking or peeping. One possible nest was observed, a burrow among a cluster ofbromeliads.[citation needed]
It generally tends to forage on the ground for seeds or in mineral deposits left by rivers, especially on the seeds left behind by bamboo in the genusGuadua.
Another important source of nutrients for the Manu parrotlet is the clay licks, narrow horizons exposed to a vertical bank on a riverbed to consumesodium and other minerals that are depositeted there.[4] The Manu parrotlet appeared every two or three days about midday with groups ofdusky-billed parrotlet (Forpus sclateri),tui parakeet (Brotogeris sanctithomae), andcobalt-winged parakeet (B. cyanoptera), with the Manu parrotlet eating clay for about 30 minutes.[2]
The bird has a patchy distribution throughout Brazil, Bolivia, and Peru, with the latter containing the majority of its population. It largely occupies riparian forests, especially those that consist ofCalocophyllum spruceanum andCecropia membranacea.[citation needed]
The Manu parrotlet faces primarilyhabitat fragmentation and degradation from industry, especially mining, and associated roads.[1]
