The red-breasted pygmy parrot is a species of parrot in the family Psittaculidae. Its natural habitat is the boreal forests, subtropical or tropical dry forests, and subtropical or tropical moist lowland forests of the Maluku Islands and Melanesia.
Region
Maluku Islands and New Guinea (Melanesia)
Typical Environment
Occurs in lowland and foothill tropical forests across parts of the Maluku Islands and the New Guinea region, including adjacent offshore islands. It favors primary and secondary rainforest, forest edges, and wooded gardens where tree trunks and branches are lichen-covered. The species is arboreal and spends much of its time on vertical surfaces rather than in open flight. It can persist in selectively logged forests and some agroforestry mosaics provided mature trees remain.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Tropical
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 1/5
The red-breasted pygmy parrot is among the smallest parrots in the world, spending much of its time clinging to tree trunks like a nuthatch. It feeds unusually for a parrot, scraping lichens and fungi from bark and taking tiny invertebrates. It uses a stiff, short tail as a prop while climbing. This species adapts to various forest types but is rarely kept successfully in captivity due to its specialized diet.
Temperament
shy and active
Flight Pattern
short rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Usually seen in pairs or small family parties, moving quickly along trunks and branches. It nests in small cavities, often in arboreal termite mounds or soft, decaying wood, which the pair excavates. Pairs are likely monogamous and may roost communally outside the breeding season.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
High, thin twittering and rapid squeaks, often given in short bursts while foraging. Calls are soft and easily overlooked in dense foliage, with rapid contact notes between flock members.
