Micropsittini
Smallest parrots, never kept in captivity, feed on fungi.
Micropsittini is a tribe of parrots comprising the single genus Micropsitta, whose members are known as pygmy parrots. These are the smallest parrots in the order, native to the forests of New Guinea and nearby islands. They are notable for being among the few parrot species that have never been successfully kept or bred in captivity, with all attempts resulting in quick deaths, likely due to stress and dietary deficiencies.
- group
- Tribe of parrots
- genus
- Micropsitta
- species
- Six species
- size_range
- 8 to 10 cm (3.1 to 3.9 in)
- smallest_species
- Buff-faced pygmy parrot (8 cm / 3.1 in)
- dietary_note
- Feed on fungi and lichens; precise needs poorly understood
- captivity_status
- Never successfully kept or bred in captivity
Lore & Background
The tribe Micropsittini was defined by French naturalist René-Primevère Lesson in 1831, with the genus name Micropsitta derived from Greek mikros (small) and psitta (parrot). The six species are all tiny, fast-moving birds, mostly green with bright highlights, and they spend much time climbing through foliage using their large feet, beak, and stiffened tail feathers. The buff-faced pygmy parrot, at a little over 8 cm (3.1 in), is the smallest parrot species.
Reader's Guide
The significance of Micropsittini lies in their extreme size and unique ecological niche. As the smallest parrots, they represent the lower size limit of the order and exhibit specialized adaptations such as stiff tail feathers for climbing and a diet that includes fungi and lichens—rare among birds. Their complete failure to survive in captivity underscores how little is understood about their precise dietary and environmental needs, making them a subject of conservation and ornithological interest. The tribe's restricted range in New Guinea and nearby islands further highlights their vulnerability. Their legacy is as a reminder that even well-studied groups like parrots can harbor species that defy human attempts at husbandry, emphasizing the importance of preserving their natural habitats.
Did You Know?
- Pygmy parrots are among the few birds that feed on fungi and lichens, which play a major role in their diet.
- All attempts to keep pygmy parrots in captivity have resulted in their quick deaths, likely due to stress and dietary deficiencies.
- The buff-faced pygmy parrot is the smallest parrot species, at a little over 8 cm (3.1 in) long.
- The genus Micropsitta was defined by French naturalist René-Primevère Lesson in 1831.
More in Bird tribes 1-24
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