Greater Vasa Parrot, Ankarana, Madagascar
Madagascar and its surrounding islands are well known for its rich variety in birds, of which many are endemic. Parrots, however, are a category that is less exciting, with only two species, the Lesser Vasa parrot and the Greater Vasa parrot, both dull in appearance compared to their tropical cousins.
That said, they are entertaining and interesting. This Greater Vasa Parrot is quite large and extremely loud. According to Wikipedia they also have an unusual social structure, where the female dominates and has many male mates, who all have a job in feeding and defending her and her offspring.
The Greater Vasa Parrot ''Coracopsis vasa'' is one of two species of vasa parrot, the other being the Lesser Vasa Parrot ''C. nigra''. The Greater vasa parrot can be found throughout Madagascar and the Comoros. In Madagascar it is more common in portions of the Madagascar dry deciduous forests, compared with the Lesser Vasa Parrot which is more common in the humid forests of the east coast. The Greater Vasa Parrot has a very unusual breeding biology and mating system. Females are 25% larger than.. more
