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World's smallest parrot filmed | World's smallest parrot filmed |
(about 8 hours later) | |
The world's smallest parrot has been filmed in the wild for the first time. | The world's smallest parrot has been filmed in the wild for the first time. |
The tiny bird, which is not much bigger than an adult person's thumb, is smaller than some of the insects with which it shares the forest. | The tiny bird, which is not much bigger than an adult person's thumb, is smaller than some of the insects with which it shares the forest. |
An expedition team filming in Papua New Guinea for the BBC programme Lost Land of the Volcano caught two of the buff-faced pygmy parrots on camera. | An expedition team filming in Papua New Guinea for the BBC programme Lost Land of the Volcano caught two of the buff-faced pygmy parrots on camera. |
Another adult, which weighs less than half an ounce, was also trapped by the expedition team's bird expert. | Another adult, which weighs less than half an ounce, was also trapped by the expedition team's bird expert. |
On average, buff-faced pygmy parrots (Micropsitta pusio) stand less than 9cm tall and weigh 11.5g (0.41oz). | On average, buff-faced pygmy parrots (Micropsitta pusio) stand less than 9cm tall and weigh 11.5g (0.41oz). |
They are found across the northern lowlands of the island of New Guinea from the west to the southeastern tip, up to an altitude of around 800m. | They are found across the northern lowlands of the island of New Guinea from the west to the southeastern tip, up to an altitude of around 800m. |
Males and females look similar, but females have less prominent markings on the head. | Males and females look similar, but females have less prominent markings on the head. |
The birds have green feathers with yellowish plumage on their underparts; while their cheeks, face, and crown are more buff-coloured, hence their name. | The birds have green feathers with yellowish plumage on their underparts; while their cheeks, face, and crown are more buff-coloured, hence their name. |
BBC wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan first discovered a tiny nest belonging to two parrots deep within pristine rainforest. | BBC wildlife cameraman Gordon Buchanan first discovered a tiny nest belonging to two parrots deep within pristine rainforest. |
The birds nest in termite mounds, using their beaks and claws to dig their way in before laying eggs in the hole created. | The birds nest in termite mounds, using their beaks and claws to dig their way in before laying eggs in the hole created. |
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Dr Dumbacher and BBC film cameraman Gordon Buchanan handle the bird | |
Buchanan staked out the nest from within a camouflaged hide, and was rewarded after a long wait when two birds returned. | Buchanan staked out the nest from within a camouflaged hide, and was rewarded after a long wait when two birds returned. |
He filmed the pair at their nest entrance, as the male and female reinforced their bond by rubbing against one another. | He filmed the pair at their nest entrance, as the male and female reinforced their bond by rubbing against one another. |
Later, another parrot was trapped unharmed by Dr Jack Dumbacher, an ornithologist from the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, US, who had accompanied the BBC expedition team. | Later, another parrot was trapped unharmed by Dr Jack Dumbacher, an ornithologist from the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, US, who had accompanied the BBC expedition team. |
Buff-faced pygmy parrots do not eat fruit and nuts but lichen and fungi. | Buff-faced pygmy parrots do not eat fruit and nuts but lichen and fungi. |
However, so little is still known about their dietary habits that it has proved difficult to rear the birds in captivity. | However, so little is still known about their dietary habits that it has proved difficult to rear the birds in captivity. |
During the expedition, the team also managed to sight a rare Salvadore's duck (Salvadorina waigiuensis), a bird that is adapted to living in fast jungle streams. | During the expedition, the team also managed to sight a rare Salvadore's duck (Salvadorina waigiuensis), a bird that is adapted to living in fast jungle streams. |
The Salvadore's duck, or Salvadore's teal as it is also known, is the only duck species endemic to the island of New Guinea. | The Salvadore's duck, or Salvadore's teal as it is also known, is the only duck species endemic to the island of New Guinea. |
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature lists the bird as Vulnerable, and its total population may be slowly declining. | The International Union for the Conservation of Nature lists the bird as Vulnerable, and its total population may be slowly declining. |
Other birds sighted included fruit doves that were completely naive to people, suggesting they had never been hunted in the past, and a king bird of paradise, with its crimson feathers, violet-coloured feet and a pair of tail streamers each ending with an emerald disc. | Other birds sighted included fruit doves that were completely naive to people, suggesting they had never been hunted in the past, and a king bird of paradise, with its crimson feathers, violet-coloured feet and a pair of tail streamers each ending with an emerald disc. |
Broadcast of The Lost Land of the Volcano series will begin on BBC One on Tuesday 8 September at 2100 BST. | Broadcast of The Lost Land of the Volcano series will begin on BBC One on Tuesday 8 September at 2100 BST. |