From Opus

Erythrura kleinschmidti

[edit] Identification

The Pink-billed Parrotfinch is approximately 11 cm long. This species is a greenish finch with outsized bill. It has olive-green with black face, bluish crown and nape and red rump. This species is easily seen with a large, glossy-pink bill. Its young is similar in color but duller, having orange-horn bill with black tip. It has high-pitched chee-chee voice and a clicking sound.

[edit] Distribution

The Pink-billed Parrotfinch Erythrura kleinschmidti is a species of estrildid finch found in island of Viti Levu, Fiji.

[edit] Taxonomy

Monotypic.

[edit] Habitat

Commonly found at undisturbed mature forest in the centre and east of Viti Levu, e.g. Joske's Thumb near Suva. This species is found at mid-height along tree-trunks and branches.

[edit] Behaviour

It is usually alone or in pairs but also joining mixed-species flocks, feeding primarily on insects, but also flower buds and fruits.

The Pink-billed Parrotfinch is threatened by logging and clearance for agriculture which destroy its natural habitat. The species population is restricted to a single subpopulation on the island of Viti Levu, thus facing population decline.

The Pink-billed Parrotfinch is protected under Fijian law. It is been conserved in the protected watershed forest near Suva. It was proposed to find more suitable areas for Pink-billed Parrotfinch conservation, and preserve the watershed forest habitat near Suva.

[edit] External Links