Photo: Gerhard mauracher / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Lesser Vasa Parrot
Coracopsis nigra
Lesser Vasa Parrot (Coracopsis nigra) — Parrots & Cockatoos of Africa.
The Lesser Vasa Parrot (Coracopsis nigra) is a member of the Psittaculidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 186 g. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Psittaciformes
- Family Psittaculidae Old World Parrots
- Genus Coracopsis
- Species nigra
Quick facts
- Weight
- 186 g
- Diet
- Fruit-eaters
- Family
- Psittaculidae
- Order
- Psittaciformes
- Habitat
- Woodland
How to identify
Similar birds
Near Threatened
Least Concern
Vulnerable
Near Threatened
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Lesser Vasa Parrot is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Behaviour
A bird of dense forest, it spends much of its time perched in trees and shrubs.
Migration
The Lesser Vasa Parrot is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
The Lesser Vasa Parrot (Coracopsis nigra) is a member of the Psittaculidae family, within the order Psittaciformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Madagascar.
It is a large bird. Adults weighs around 186 g, with a wing length of about 20.6 cm and a tail of around 14.9 cm.
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 591,000 km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Lesser Vasa Parrot?
The Lesser Vasa Parrot is a large bird that weighs around 186 g.
Where does the Lesser Vasa Parrot live?
The Lesser Vasa Parrot is found across Africa with a range covering AF Madagascar, where it is typically found in wooded and forested habitats.
What family does the Lesser Vasa Parrot belong to?
The Lesser Vasa Parrot (Coracopsis nigra) belongs to the Psittaculidae family, in the order Psittaciformes.
What does the Lesser Vasa Parrot eat?
The Lesser Vasa Parrot is a frugivore — it feeds mainly on fruit.
Does the Lesser Vasa Parrot migrate?
The Lesser Vasa Parrot is largely sedentary, staying within its range year-round rather than making regular long-distance migrations.
Is the Lesser Vasa Parrot endangered?
It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.
What sound does the Lesser Vasa Parrot make?
1 real field recording of the Lesser Vasa Parrot — including its song — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Lesser Vasa Parrot's range?
The Lesser Vasa Parrot has a mapped global range of about 591,000 km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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Guides for this bird
Meet the Psittaculidae
A field guide to the Psittaculidae family — 202 species in the Birbs encyclopedia, with the best-known members to start with.