Data Zone
Justification of Red List category
This forest-associated species is listed as Near Threatened because it is assumed to be undergoing a moderately rapid population decline owing to the extensive loss of lowland forests from large areas of the Sundaic lowlands, and it may be impacted by trade. However, the species' use of logged and fragmented forest, secondary growth, other modified areas and habitats at higher elevations implies that it has not suffered more rapid declines.
Population justification
The population size of this species has not been formally quantified but is described as common by Eaton et al. (2021). Juniper and Parr (1998) suspected it to number more than 100,000 individuals and, given the immense size of its range, it may well be many times this. It remains commonly observed in suitable habitat, including isolated blocks of forest in Singapore, but is absent from areas where there is not even scattered native vegetation (eBird 2022). This is congruent with reporting in del Hoyo et al. (1997), which described the species as common in primary habitat and uncommon in secondary habitats and plantations.
Trend justification
The overall population is inferred to be declining in response to habitat loss and degradation, but locally some populations may be increasing.
In the majority of the species' range, the widespread conversion of native forest into plantations is thought to be causing a decline. Although Psittinus cyanurus readily feeds in these plantations and is tolerant of degradation (Juniper and Parr 1998, Peh et al. 2006, Eaton et al. 2021), it is thought to require nearby forest for breeding (del Hoyo et al. 1997), and citizen science data (eBird 2022) support this. In the 10 years to 2022, forest cover in its range reduced by 17-22% (Global Forest Watch 2022, based on data from Hansen et al. [2013] and methods disclosed therein) and this is thought to have caused concomitant declines of 15-25%. Additionally, the species may be impacted by trapping for the pet trade (Symes et al. 2018), although no robust data exist to quantify this. In Singapore, where forest cover is stable, the population was reportedly increasing, or at least remaining stable (Lim and Yong 2011).
Combining these threats, the species is suspected to have declined globally by 15-29% over the past ten years, and the same rate is thought likely to occur in the future. This is congruent with Symes et al. (2018), who predicted the species had declined by 27% over 11.4 years to 2018 (adjusted to c.23-24% over ten years), although the latter authors considered trapping to be causing a greater contribution to this than habitat loss.
Psittinus cyanurus is confined to the Sundaic lowlands, where it is known from southern Tenasserim, Myanmar, peninsular Thailand, Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia, Singapore, Kalimantan, Sumatra (including the Riau, Lingga, Bangka, Mentawai islands), Indonesia and Brunei (Juniper and Parr 1998, BirdLife International 2001).
It inhabits primary, dry-land evergreen and semi-evergreen lowland forest, both mature and selectively logged, and also visits edge vegetation, cultivated areas and gap-phase growth of forest clearings and occasionally mangroves, up to 1,300 m, although generally below 700 m (Juniper and Parr 1998). It appears to be more readily observed in areas with some logging activity, possibly preferring secondary and logged forest, and has been noted to feed on the fruits of ornamental plants (D. L. Yong in litt. 2013). It is gregarious and regularly forms flocks of up to 20 individuals (Juniper and Parr 1998). Breeding occurs in February to May in Malaysia, and June to September in Borneo (del Hoyo et al. 1997, Juniper and Parr 1998).
Forest destruction in the Sundaic lowlands of Indonesia and Malaysia has been extensive, for timber and conversion to agriculture. In particular the rapid expansion of oil palm has driven the conversion of the majority of remaining lowland forest in the region. Declines are compounded by trapping for the cage-bird industry (Symes et al. 2018); however, the species' use of logged and fragmented forest, secondary growth, other modified areas and habitats at higher elevations implies that it has not suffered rapid declines.
Conservation Actions Underway
CITES Appendix II. Some of the species's habitat is protected, for example in Way Kambas National Park (Sumatra), Danum Valley (Sabah, Malaysia), and Taman Negara and Panti Forest Reserve (Peninsular Malaysia) (K. D. Bishop in litt. 2013, D. L. Yong in litt. 2013).
18 cm. A fairly small, stocky parrot with a very short tail. Adult males have a blue head and rump, bluish underparts and dark grey mantle, green wings and tail. Females are mostly green with a grey-brown head and some blue on the rump. Similar spp. P. abbotti (which does not occur with P. cyanurus) is mostly green, with a green forehead to the blue head and fairly narrow black hindneck. Voice. Shrill, chittering "chi, chi, chi" or "chu-ee" notes in flight.
Text account compilers
Martin, R., Berryman, A.
Contributors
Benstead, P., Bird, J., Bishop, K.D., Symes, A., Taylor, J. & Yong, D.
Recommended citation
BirdLife International (2024) Species factsheet: Blue-rumped Parrot Psittinus cyanurus. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/factsheet/blue-rumped-parrot-psittinus-cyanurus on 22/12/2024.
Recommended citation for factsheets for more than one species: BirdLife International (2024) IUCN Red List for birds. Downloaded from
https://datazone.birdlife.org/species/search on 22/12/2024.