Lesser Vasa-Parrot
Coracopsis nigra
Silhouette: Farelli (photo), John E. McCormack, Michael G. Harvey, Brant C. Faircloth, Nicholas G. Crawford, Travis C. Glenn, Robb T. Brumfield & T. Michael Keesey · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPsittaciformes (Parrots)
- FamilyPsittacidae (New World and African Parrots)
- GenusCoracopsis (Vasa Parrots)
- SpeciesCoracopsis nigra (Lesser Vasa-Parrot)
About the Lesser Vasa-Parrot
The lesser vasa parrot or black parrot (Coracopsis nigra) is a black coloured parrot endemic to most of Madagascar. It is one of four species of vasa parrots, the others being the greater vasa parrot (C. vasa), the Seychelles black parrot (C. barklyi), and the Comoros black parrot (C. sibilans). The latter two were formerly considered conspecific with the lesser vasa parrot.
Lesser vasa parrots inhabit the mangrove swamps and evergreen forests of Madagascar. They eat seeds, blossoms and fruit - especially berries and mangos. They build their nests in tree hollows and go through courtship in February. During this time, the female may shed the feathers on her head giving it a yellowish tone. The male's beak may also turn white during this time.
In 1743, the English naturalist George Edwards included a picture and a description of the lesser vasa parrot in his A Natural History of Uncommon Birds. He used the English name "Black Parrot from Madagascar". His drawing was made from a live bird owned by the Duke of Richmond. When in 1758 the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus updated his Systema Naturae for the tenth edition, he placed the lesser vasa parrot with all the other... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Lesser Vasa-Parrot in Ranomafana National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Ranomafana National Park
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ankarafantsika National Park | 🇲🇬 Madagascar | |
| 2 | Berenty Reserve | 🇲🇬 Madagascar | |
| 3 | Ranomafana National Park | 🇲🇬 Madagascar |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Lesser Vasa-Parrot in Ranomafana National Park?
About 30% of wildlife watchers report a Lesser Vasa-Parrot sighting in Ranomafana National Park, based on 298 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Lesser Vasa-Parrot in Ranomafana National Park?
March has the highest sighting rate for Lesser Vasa-Parrot in Ranomafana National Park in our monthly data.