Psittaciformes - Coracopsis - Seychelles Black Parrot

Seychelles Black Parrot - Coracopsis barklyi - Vulnerable

The Seychelles black parrot, Praslin parrot or kato nwar (Coracopsis barklyi) is a sombre-coloured, medium-sized parrot endemic to the Seychelles. Historically, it has been treated as a subspecies of the lesser vasa parrot, although it shows morphological, ecological and behavioural differences.[2] Recent phylogenetic research indicates that the Seychelles population has a long history of isolation and may be basal to the rest of the Coracopsis group. It is the national bird of the Seychelles.

Description: The Seychelles black parrot is entirely dark grey-brown except for greyish undertail-coverts; the dark bill becomes paler during the breeding season. It is about 30 cm in length, smaller and paler than the 35 cm lesser vasa parrot.

Distribution and Habitat: The parrot is found only on the island of Praslin, where its main breeding area is limited by the availability of mature palm forest to the Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve and the lower part of Fond Peper in Praslin National Park. It has also been recorded (since 1988) on neighbouring Curieuse where it has been seen feeding though there is no evidence of breeding. It inhabits woodland, scrubland and gardens.